onlygems

Hessonite garnet (Gomed)

The garnet group includes a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze as gemstones and abrasives.. The name "garnet" may come from either the Middle English word gernet meaning 'dark red', or the Latin granatus (“grain”), possibly a reference to the Punica granatum(“pomegranate”), a plant with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals. In Sanskrit it is known as Gomeda, cow's urine colored gem, Rahu-ratna, Rahu's gem, Pita rakta Mani, Orange gem, Tamo-mani, Rahu's jewel.

Though there are various varieties of garnets that exist, the hessonite garnet or Gomed is the one in India. The hessonite garnet or Gomed is also called the Cinnamon stone because it was first found in Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), a land known for its spices. The hessonite garnet is also one of the popular gems in the Indian market and is popularly known as the gomedha or Gomed. The hessonite garnet gemstone is one of the Navagraha stones (stones that represent the nine planets that have a cosmic influence on all earthlings).

It represents the God of the Ascending/North lunar node (Rahu) in Indian astrology and is associated with past karma. Astronomically, Ketu and Rahu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move along the celestial orbit. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. According to Hindu mythology, Rahu is also the ‘Head of Demon Snake’ that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses to occur. It is believed that the shadow of Rahu  can plunge into any area of one's life thereby taking over strong control and creating chaos in that sphere of life. Such an influence is known to lead to all kinds of delays in fulfilment of ambitions.

The hessonite garnet or Gomed is known to cure diseases caused by the affliction of Rahu and Saturn. This makes it the most favoured gemstone in the garnet group in the Indian market. It is believed that a natural hessonite garnet can guard against the bad influence of Rahu and can aid in speedy recovery to bring success in endeavours. The gemstone is also known to increase appetite, vitality, wealth, happiness and bring good health and prosperity to the wearer. The astrologers in India believe that this gem should be set in silver jewellery and worn in the middle finger to ensure maximum benefits. Renowned astrologers even ask to see the gem specimens to ensure that there are no inclusions that are visible to the naked eye and that the gem is flawless. 

Sir Lanka, the largest producer of the hessonite garnets, has produced fine quality gems for many centuries. Hessonite gem deposits have also been found in India, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Canada and Tanzania.

In India it is found in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Shimla, Mysore, and Kullu. Gaya mines in Bihar are the biggest source of this gem.  Recently, very good quality of this gem has been found in Orissa.

Currently, the world's largest supply of garnets is the continent of Africa. In December 1996, a student in Central Australia discovered what is thought to be the largest single garnet ever found - measuring nearly one hundred feet across! Other sources of garnet include India, Soviet Union, Brazil and the United States.

Garnet birthstone is for the people born in the month of January. It is also called as the January birthstone.

The rarest of the garnets is the colour changing deep blue garnet, which was discovered in the late 1990s in Madagascar. This rare gem deposit is also mined in parts of the United States, Russia and Turkey. It changes colour from blue-green in the daylight to purple in incandescent light, as a result of the high amounts of vanadium.

Other varieties of colour changing garnets exist too. In daylight, if you hold it in your hand and look at it, their colour is likely to be shades of green, beige, brown, gray or blue. But in incandescent light, these very garnets appear reddish or purplish or pink in colour. Because of their colour changing quality, this kind of garnet is often mistaken for an alexandrite.

Orange spessartite garnet is also called as mandarin garnet.

Garnet may be given as a gem on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary.

Therapeutical Uses:

Gomedh controls indigestion, skin disease, snake bites, insomnia, hysteria, dog bite, blood poisoning and also undiagnosed diseases. It aids mental depression, arthritis, thyroid complaints and nightmares. It is good for those suffering from allergies, skin disorders, piles, epilepsy, infection of eyes, colds, sinus infection, fatigue, tiredness, BP, hearth ailments, infections in upper part of the body.

Compatibility:

Gomedh can be worn by the ascendant or moon sign of Aquarius & Capricorn. It can also be worn by the person born in the asterism of moon (i.e., Aridhra & Swathi). Gomedh is a birthstone for January and the persons with the birth dates 4, 13, 22 & 31 can also wear this gem.

Caution:

 Gomedh should not be worn with ruby or pearl.

Pooja procedure for wearing Gomedh:

Pooja should be performed in the hora of Saturn on any Saturday between 6.00 a.m to 7.00 a.m or 1.00 p.m to 2.00 p.m or can also be worn in late nights or in Rahu kaal. It should be worn in silver (well polished) on the middle finger (2nd finger) of right hand and the weight should be 6, 11, 13 grams.

Materials for pooja:

 An idol of snake, black cloth, black gram, any flowers & incense.

Procedure:

Spread the black cloth before the idol of snake. First wash the stone embedded ring milk followed by water. Then apply paste of sandal, vermillion (kumkum) on it and place it on the cloth. Light the lamps and burn incenses perform the pooja to the ring with flowers reciting Rahu mantra.

RAHU MANTRA

“Naaga dhwajaaya vidmahe, padma hasthaaya dheemahi

Thanno rahu prachodayaath”   || 108 times ||

Offer some fruits and sweets, and then wear the ring. Additionally the wearer can donate the black gram and 22 coins of same denomination to get maximum benefit.