The Hessonite Garnet or Gomed stone is one of the most significant gemstones used in Vedic Astrology. Traditionally linked to Rahu (one of the two lunar nodes), sometimes people might experience that the Gomed doesn't work out well with them. They can't find their Gomed, or it exceeds their budget.
And that's why many opt for a Gomed substitute instead. Although there could be some substitutes for this stone based on traditional beliefs. We strongly suggest you don't just go for a Gomed substitute because it looks similar to Gomed. Instead, consider its astrological suitability, natural origin, quality & reasons for wearing it before choosing any substitute.
So let’s discuss some of the most popular ones as our alternative gems to Gomed!
A Brief About Gomed Stone?
Traditional Name: Gomed
Also known as Hessonite garnet. This popular variety comes from the larger category of grossular garnet. Usually seen in warm hues of honey, cinnamon, orange brown, or red brown.
Traditional Birthstone :Rahu
According to vedic astrology, gomed stone has been connected with the planet rahu. This gemstone is suggested to be worn in certain birth-chart configurations by the belief that an astrologer thinks about balancing or strengthening rahu.
This natural stone with its unique look and shine is often loved. When you get high quality stones, they will have a warm color like honey and great transparency.
However, since this is a planetary gemstone, you need to think about which other gemstones could work as an alternative instead of just going for another brown/ orange gemstone.
Why Look for a Gomed Stone Substitute?
Some people might go for a Gomed stone substitute due to these factors;
- You don’t have natural Gomed stones with good quality that fits your budget.
- It could also be hard sourcing specific sizes and qualities.
- You could also find someone who prefers another type of gemstone’s appearance.
- Your astrologer might have suggested a different choice depending on your unique circumstances.
- Maybe you simply wanted to see if there was something more affordable out there before jumping into buying a premium gemstone.
It's worth keeping in mind there isn't a universally accepted substitute for Gomed that's been scientifically proven to yield equivalent astrological results. Gemstone substitutions are considered part of traditional astrology practices.
Best Gomed Substitutes
There isn’t a universally accepted substitute stone that works in every school of thought within the varied traditions of Vedic astrology. But there are certain gem stones which come into common parlance as viable replacements. Let us explore those now:
1. Spessartite Garnet
This is perhaps the most visually close choice. It’s also part of the same family, making this a potentially viable option if your preference leans towards another form of garnet (as opposed to Hessonite).
As we saw above, its warm tone can certainly appeal to fans of the appearance of Gomed. That being said, however, it isn’t traditionally regarded as representing the planet Gomed/ Rahu as well.
Best for : Individuals who seek out a visual match for their preferred garnet tones.
2. Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz stone has a brown to greyish-brown colour palette. This is one gemstone that people go for if they want to get their hands on an earthy-toned gemstone.
The good part about this stone is its availability in different types of jewellery pieces. From a vedic astrology point-of-view, smoky quartz isn’t a universally-recognised substitution for gomed. So you will have to take into account your astrological tradition too!
Best For: Those who want to find an affordable piece of jewellery but also prefer a darker, more earthy kind of gemstone.
3. Citrine
Another possible candidate often discussed alongside other options for replacing Gomed with alternate gemstones. Its distinctiveness comes down primarily to its mineral properties. Citrine stone falls under the broader category of quartz while Gomed doesn’t.
So although citrine might be cheaper and easier to acquire compared to many other expensive gems, it won’t work as a substitute just because that was what was available at the time.
Best for : Those who want access to an affordable golden-yellow gem for either wearing jewelry or participating in traditional crystal practices.
How to Choose a Substitute of Gomed Stone?
First, make sure you know why your Vedic astrologer has recommended wearing Gomed. They may suggest an alternative specifically. It’s also important to note that planetary gemstones are usually chosen based upon your birth chart.
However, if you’re just buying a gemstone to wear as jewelry (not due to any astrological reason), you can choose whichever variety appeals to you by considering color, clarity, durability, cut and price!
Consider these factors:
- What is your intention of buying this Gemstone? For astrology/jewellery/personal preference?
- A natural gemstone with good color and clarity is always preferable.
- Make sure the stone is authentic & get details about its treatment.
- If you are dealing with a very valuable stone consider getting certification from an independent laboratory.
Consider your budget as well. It’s always better to compare prices of different stones based on their quality.
Can a Gomed Substitute Give the Same Benefits?
This seems to be quite a common question but yet we haven’t found any scientific proof of any kind about this matter, neither from Gomed nor substitutes.
There’s a widely accepted concept among practitioners of Vedic astrology that wearing gemstones associated with particular planets has an impact on planetary energies. And some of them even offer substitutes for your gemstone based on their prescriptions, but you should know that there are various schools of thought regarding this topic.
So don’t assume that all orange or brown stones could do the trick. For personalized advice, go consult an expert if you’re after astrological purposes.
Should You Choose Gomed or a Substitute?
If you have been advised to go with Gomed and are able to get hold of a genuine, high quality stone, then this might well be the option for you.
A substitute may make more sense when:
- The astrologer suggested it.
- You have no choice but to choose this as your preferred gomad.
- You are on a tight budget.
- Do you need to have an alternative look of gemstones?
- Are you purchasing this gemstone to put into your jewellery instead of Astrology?
If you are going to buy these substitutes for astrology purposes then make sure you do not pick up substitutes only because they are cheap. You should always think about the purpose that you want to fulfill by getting them as well as their tradition.
FAQs About Gomed Substitute
1. Is there any alternative to Gomed?
Unfortunately there is no universally accepted substitute for this gemstone. However some of its properties can be found in Spessartite Garnet, and Smoky Quartz, although these substitutes aren’t universally recognised.
2. Is Citrine a Substitute for Gomed?
Citrine might work as an alternative in some circumstances according to some gemstone practice. But it’s not generally acceptable for use as a substitute of gomed from the point of view of astrology. So if you wear this gem specifically for your rahu related astrology then best consult a qualified astrologer.
3. Is a Gomed substitute cheaper than Gomed?
Some of the substitutes, such as Smoky Quartz are more affordable than a good-quality natural Gomed. But again, this varies depending on many parameters like colours, clarity, sizes, treatments, etc.
Final Thoughts
If you need an alternative for Gomed Stone, just looking for another stone that has a similar colour won’t help since there are other factors involved too. Mainly because Gomed is usually considered as a stone for Rahu.
So instead of focusing only on the look, check out these substitutes. Spessartite Garnet, Smoky Quartz for instance. You can find them at reasonable costs too.
However, nothing in this world will replace the charm of Hessonite Garnet! And hence, even though you might have found some great alternatives here, we still suggest you try to buy an actual piece if you’re thinking of buying a Gemstone based on Vedic Astrology.
On the flip side, if you love a good-looking gem and want to own one but aren’t really into all the stuff around astrology, then please focus solely on the authenticity, quality, and durability of the stone before making up your mind.
Above everything else, make sure you choose a trustworthy and reliable gemstone seller like Dhanshree Gems where you get precisely what you’re paying for. To know more contact us now.