“I would have liked my engagement ring to be set with a sapphire, but I was afraid it would bring me bad luck,” a friend recently told me. Born in India, the bride explained to me that in Vedic astrology, also known as Hindu or Indian astrology, the sapphire is considered both the most powerful gemstone—and the riskiest.
Also known as Jyotish, which literally translates as the “science of light,” this ancient discipline has its roots in the sacred texts known as the Vedas. Unlike Western astrology, it is based on the sidereal zodiac, which takes into account the actual position of the constellations in the sky rather than a fixed symbolic system. Vedic astrology uses the 12 signs of the zodiac as we know them, but also the 9 “planets” known as Navagraha, which include the Sun and Moon, as well as karmic points such as Rahu and Ketu.
“In India, astrology is deeply rooted in daily life,” explains the entrepreneur and Vedic astrology devotee Shaleen Bains Dugué. “People consult astrologers before making important decisions: buying real estate, setting up a business, or even choosing the date and time of a wedding, often determined according to astrological themes. Gemstones associated with astrology play an important role in this culture, as some are said to hold powerful energies.”
Bains Dugué was introduced to this culture when she was growing up in India, and she points out that blue sapphire can be dangerous, according to local beliefs. This gemstone is associated with Saturn (Shani), the planet linked to karma, discipline, and life lessons, the effects of which can be intense.
“I was seduced by the idea of a sapphire engagement ring—something very Princess Diana-inspired and timeless, but sapphires have a reputation for having a particularly strong astrological influence. Although I don’t consider myself superstitious, everyone around me insisted that I consult an astrologer first, and this frankly made me hesitate. I ended up choosing a diamond instead, just to be on the safe side. I think it captures the essence of my daily life: building a life in Paris while remaining marked by my origins.”
The ideal alternative? Many say tanzanite, which is prized by Indian jewellers for its rich blue hue. “Unlike blue sapphire, it is not closely linked to Vedic astrology and is therefore not generally considered to have astrological effects,” explains the celebrated Indian fashion and jewelry designer Manish Malhotra. “So, for those who love blue stones but wish to avoid the intensity or uncertainty of astrological stones, tanzanite is a safe and elegant choice, which can be worn without worry.”
