Buying a Gemstone? Here's What Actually Matters.
Thinking of buying a gemstone, whether for astrology or simply just to wear? Before you pay, there are five simple things to check: where the stone is from, what's been done to it, whether it's certified, how much it weighs, and why all that changes the price.
The 5 Things Every Buyer Should Check
Gemstones aren't a purchase you make and forget about. They're rare, they're personal, and they stay with you. This makes it important to check for the quality to make it last long. Here's the easy way to remember it. A real, untreated, and well-cut stone, bought from someone you trust, will always price higher than a treated stone or a fake one. So the moment a deal feels suspiciously light on your wallet, that's your cue to ask why.
The short version: Before buying, check the gemstone's origin, treatment, certification, weight and quality. These factors help explain why two stones that look similar can have very different prices.
Expert-Checked by Manish Jain
Co-Founder & CEO, MyRatna, and our Chief Certified Gemologist. Two decades in gemstones, sourcing and certification, and every single stone in our collection passes through his hands before it reaches you.
Read Manish Jain's full profile →First, Know Why You're Buying
Your answer changes what you should focus on.
A Buying for Astrological Benefits
The looks of the stone matter less here. What matters is that the stone is fully natural, untreated, and at least the right weight for you. Don’t try to just pick one yourself; talk to an astrologer first about which planet needs strengthening, since it helps in deciding the right stone for you.
B Buying for Jewellery or Style
Color, cut, and how well it lasts matter more than whether the gemstone is completely untouched. A lightly heated sapphire or ruby is totally normal here and ranges a bit low in pricing.
Which Gemstone Is Right for You? It is better not to take a blind guess. A qualified astrologer reads your birth chart to find out which planet actually needs strengthening, and that's what should decide your stone. Not how it looks, but what is considered suitable for you.
Secondly, Factors That Affect Quality and Price
Origin
Ceylon for blue sapphires, Burma for rubies, and Zambia for emeralds, some origins just carry more weight. A gemstone doesn't need a famous origin to be good. But gemologists still check it; it's one clue among many, and it's usually written on the certificate.
Treatment
It is better to ask if the gemstone is natural or treated in some way. A "trust me" isn't valid proof for authenticity. For astrology the stone has to be untouched no matter which one it is, and that should be mentioned in a lab certificate.
Clarity & Colour
Even colour with marks, which you can barely see with eyes, is what a good stone looks like. A little imperfection in an untreated stone is actually a good sign, be it an emerald or a hessonite. Flawless and cheap together is what should be avoided to purchase.
Carat / Ratti Weight
Carats or ratti, roughly 1 to 1.09. For astrology, your body weight and your planet decide the number, whether you're being fitted for a pukhraj or a cat's eye, and that's your astrologer's job to calculate, not yours to guess.
Thirdly, Always Check the Lab Certificate
A lab certificate tells you exactly what you're buying, the stone's identity, weight, origin, and whether it's treated. Skip it on an expensive stone, and you're taking a risk you don't need to.
✓ A real certificate tells you
What the stone actually is, whether it's natural or man-made, if it's been treated, and its exact weight and size, checked by a proper, recognized gem lab.
✓ Labs you can trust
GIA, IGI, GII, IGITL, IIGJ, and other accredited names. And here's a tip most people miss: go check the certificate number on the lab's own website. A number on paper alone proves nothing.
✓ What MyRatna promises
Every stone we sell is already lab-certified and personally checked by trusted gemologists before it's even listed on the website. You can see the authentic certification right on the product page for more clarification.
Fourth, How the Price Is Decided?
Two gemstones that look identical in a photo can differ hugely in price. Here's what typically drives the difference:
| Factor | Raising Price | Lowering Price |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Untouched, non-heated | Heated / dyed / filled |
| Origin | Mined from a premium origin | Unnamed or unknown source |
| Clarity | Eye-clean, minimal inclusions | Cloudy or heavily included |
| Cut | Sharp, well-proportioned | Uneven or poorly shaped |
| Lab certification | Trusted and verified | No certification / verification |
| Weight (Carat) | Bigger stones | Tiny stones |
One thing worth knowing: a stone doesn't get pricier as it gets bigger. A 3-carat stone will usually cost you more than three 1-carat ones, and that's simply because a big, clean stone is rarer to be found.
Fifth, The Right Way to Wear a Gemstone
If it's for astrology, three things are important to be taken care of. The metal the stone is set in, which finger is beneficial for it to be worn at, and the day or time you first wear it. All of this depends on your planet and stone, so it's best to check with your trusted astrologer instead of randomly wearing it.
1 The Metal
Every metal, gold, silver, or panchdhatu, is believed to work with your planets and the gemstone to give you benefits.
2 Skin Contact
The stone needs to touch your skin directly once it's set in a ring or pendant, which is why an open-back setting is usually recommended.
3 The Day and the Ritual
The gemstone should be worn according to the associated day, which is believed as per astrology. It is recommended to perform a small purification ritual, or puja, under the guidance of an astrologer before officially wearing it.
Before You Buy: Spot the Red Flags
Watch for these warning signs before you buy from any seller:
- No certificate, or one from a lab you can't check online.
- A price way lower than what similar stones are usually sold for.
- Unclear answers when you ask if it’s treated.
- Claiming a stone is both "natural" and "flawless" while pricing it like a bargain, since truly flawless natural stones are rare and priced accordingly.
- No return option if a lab later says something different from what you were told.
- Pressure to buy fast, "only one left," or discounts that disappear if you wait.
Care Tips for Your Gemstone
✦ Cleaning
Clean the stone with warm water using a soft brush. It is advised to skip ultrasonic cleaners for softer or treated stones, and ask your jeweler if you're ever unsure.
☁ Storing
Keep each stone wrapped separately in soft cloth, as hard stones can scratch softer ones if kept together.
⚠ Protecting
It is recommended to take off the gemstone before swimming, working out, or using perfume, as it can fade the stone’s color over time.
FAQs
How to spot the difference between fake and real stone?
An independent lab certificate can help to spot the difference, as it is difficult to claim about its authenticity by just looking at it with bare eyes.
Is a heated stone a fake one?
No. Heating the stones is generally considered normal. It just makes the color and clarity better in a real stone. It's still genuine, just a bit cheaper than an unheated one. For astrological purposes, a non-heated stone is more beneficial to be worn by the wearer.
What's the difference between "carat" and "ratti"?
Both the factors are used to measure weight. It is believed that 1 carat is roughly 1.09 to 1.1 ratti.
Do I really need to ask an astrologer before buying?
If it's for astrology, yes, always. The right stone for you, how heavy it should be, and how you wear it are all decided on the basis of your birth chart.
Can I return a gemstone if the certificate doesn't match?
Reputable sellers should provide a clear return or authentication policy if an independent lab report contradicts what was sold to you. Always confirm the policy before purchasing.
Why do two stones that look the same cost so differently?
A photo can't show treatment, clarity, or origin, and those are exactly what decide the price. So two stones can look like twins and still be worlds apart in value.
रत्न खरीदते समय क्या ध्यान रखें?
रत्न खरीदना एक महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय है — चाहे यह ज्योतिषीय लाभ के लिए हो या आभूषण के लिए। असली और प्रमाणित रत्न पहचानने के लिए इन बातों का ध्यान रखें: रत्न प्राकृतिक (नेचुरल) और अनहीटेड हो, किसी मान्यता प्राप्त लैब से प्रमाण पत्र (सर्टिफिकेट) अवश्य लें, और वजन (कैरेट/रत्ती) अपने ज्योतिषी की सलाह अनुसार ही चुनें। कम कीमत के लालच में बिना प्रमाण पत्र के रत्न न खरीदें — यही सबसे आम धोखाधड़ी का तरीका है।
Have Questions Before You Buy?
Our in-house certified gemologist can help you choose the right gemstone, verify a certificate, or answer any question about origin and treatment — free of charge.
Talk to Our Gemologist
