Alongside the nine main gems (the navaratna), Indian gem manuals describe a second tier of stones called upratna or uparatna, which means “sub-gem”. They are cheaper, easier to find and often attractive in their own right. Families choose them when the main stone is out of reach, when the chart suggests only a gentle approach, or because they simply like them. This page sets out the pairings you will meet most often, why the lists differ, and what to ask. It is a reference, and we sell nothing but the reading.
What an upratna is
The word names a lesser stone attached to a planet. The tradition is that the substitute carries something of the planet’s quality in a milder form. That is a belief within the practice and not something the gem texts can prove. The Garuda Purana and the Brihat Samhita deal mostly with the nature and grading of stones, and the detailed substitute lists seem to belong to later gem manuals and to living practice. Because of that, no single list is authoritative.
Common substitutes by planet
The table gives names that appear often. Where one book lists a stone, another may list a different one, so treat each cell as an example.
| Planet | Main stone | Substitutes often named |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Ruby | Garnet, red spinel |
| Moon | Pearl | Moonstone |
| Mars | Red coral | Carnelian |
| Mercury | Emerald | Peridot, green tourmaline |
| Jupiter | Yellow sapphire | Yellow topaz (sunela), citrine |
| Venus | Diamond | White sapphire, white zircon |
| Saturn | Blue sapphire | Amethyst (jamunia), iolite |
| Rahu | Hessonite | Orange zircon, other garnets |
| Ketu | Cat’s eye | Quartz cat’s eye, tiger’s eye |
Some of these are chosen for colour match more than for any rule. That is a reason for caution, and the planet pages give the detail for each.
Do substitutes work as well as the main stone
Astrologers do not agree. One view is that a substitute is weaker and should be used only when the main stone is not suitable or not affordable. Another is that a substitute is perfectly adequate for a mild effect. A third is that a good substitute is a better choice than a poor main stone, because an honest topaz is better than a glass-filled sapphire. A reasonable middle position is that quality and honest naming matter more than the tier. Whichever view a reader takes, it applies the same logic as for the main stones: look at the chart first. The gemstones hub explains why.
Size, price and treatment
Substitutes cost far less per carat, so the weight is often larger. Some sources say a substitute should be heavier than the main stone would be, while others give no such rule. Ask the reader who saw your chart for the weight, and ask for it in carats, since ratti can be defined differently. Many substitutes are also treated: amethyst and citrine are often heated, topaz is often irradiated and heated, and green stones can be oiled. These treatments are usually accepted when disclosed, and they are another reason to ask for a written description.
Sold under the right name
The most useful rule is simple: a substitute should be sold as itself. Citrine is citrine and not pukhraj. Quartz cat’s eye is not lehsunia. A seller who writes “yellow sapphire” on an invoice for a topaz is mislabelling it, whatever the price. The how to buy a gemstone guide explains invoices, reports and red flags that apply to every stone.
How to compare a substitute with its main stone
A useful habit is to compare like with like. Look up the hardness, since a soft substitute such as moonstone needs more care than a hard one such as white sapphire. Look at the usual treatments, since some substitutes are almost always heated or irradiated. Look at the price per carat and remember that it is far lower, so a larger stone is a common choice. Then read the planet page for the matching main stone, which explains how the chart is read for that planet. The reasoning about the planet stays the same whichever stone is chosen.
When a substitute makes sense
People most often choose an upratna in four situations. The first is cost, since a fine natural blue sapphire or diamond can be many times the price of its substitute. The second is a trial: some readers suggest starting with a gentler stone before deciding on the main one. The third is that the main stone’s planet is a functional malefic for the ascendant, in which case most astrologers would leave both tiers alone. The fourth is simple preference. In every case the older, cheaper first steps remain open: conduct, mantra and giving. The Navagraha mantras page is a place to begin.
Where to go next
Choose your planet’s page from the table, then read the house lords guide to see where your lords sit. If you do not know your ascendant, the free birth chart tool will find it.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What does upratna mean?
It means sub-gem or lesser gem. It refers to the cheaper stones that some traditions name as substitutes for each of the nine ratnas.
↳ Is moonstone a proper substitute for pearl?
Moonstone is the substitute most often named for the Moon, but lists vary. Whether it suits you is a question for a reader who has seen the Moon in your chart.
↳ Can I wear a substitute if the main stone is not advised for my ascendant?
Most astrologers apply the same reasoning to both tiers, since a substitute is meant to support the same planet. If the main stone is usually avoided, the substitute usually is too.
↳ Do substitutes need a laboratory report?
It is wise to ask for one for any stone of real value. For small, inexpensive stones, at least a written invoice naming the species and any treatment is the minimum.