Uparatna (substitute gemstones)
Uparatnas are the gentler, more affordable substitute stones for the nine main gems, such as red garnet for ruby or moonstone for pearl. They follow the same planet and wearing rules.
Also known as: Upratna, Alternative gemstones
Upa means “secondary”. Each planet has one or more substitutes: red garnet or sunstone for the Sun, moonstone for the Moon, carnelian for Mars, peridot or green tourmaline for Mercury, yellow topaz or citrine for Jupiter, white sapphire, white zircon or opal for Venus, amethyst, blue spinel or iolite for Saturn, orange zircon for Rahu and tiger’s eye for Ketu.
An uparatna is chosen with the same chart logic as the main gem: it should strengthen a planet that is helpful for you. The same metal, finger and day usually apply.
A substitute is traditionally thought to act more gently than the main stone. That makes it a sensible first step, especially in place of costly or powerful gems such as diamond and blue sapphire.
Gentler does not mean suitable for everyone. If a planet’s main gem is not advised for your chart, its uparatna is usually not advised either.