Garnet, known as Raktamani or Tamra in Hindi, is a deep red to reddish-brown gemstone from the Garnet mineral family. Though not one of the Navratna gemstones, Garnet is widely used in both Western and Vedic astrology as a substitute for Ruby (Manik). It is associated with the Sun (Surya) and is believed to enhance vitality, courage, confidence, and personal power.
Color: Deep red, brownish-red, orange-red
Hardness: 6.5 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale
Sources: India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, USA, Russia
Planet: Sun (Surya)