Maragatham Stone (Panna, Emerald)

An old word that shares its roots with "emerald"

Maragatham comes from the Sanskrit marakata, which the Monier-Williams dictionary defines as an emerald and compares with the Greek smaragdos. The English word emerald descends from that same Greek word, so Maragatham and emerald are distant relatives. Tamil Nadu's Class 8 school textbook uses மரகதம் for emerald, and the Tamil and Malayalam Wikipedia articles use the name too. Tamil speakers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry say Maragatham; Malayalam speakers in Kerala say Marathakam.

The Tamil Wikipedia article describes the gem accurately: a variety of the mineral beryl, coloured green by traces of chromium.

Oiling, origin and what to ask

• Oiling is normal. Most emeralds are oiled to reduce the look of fine fissures. In a 24-Sep-2026 sample of 20 Panna listings on this site, 18 stated "Untreated (Oiling Only)". Read the treatment field so you know whether a stone is oiled or otherwise treated.
• Origin. The same sample named Zambia for 18 of the 20. Origin changes price, so compare like with like.
• Inclusions are expected. Emerald is rarely clean. Natural inclusions consistent with the report are not a reason for return under the policy, so look at photos closely before you buy.
• Care. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals, which can disturb oiled fissures. Wipe with a soft cloth.
• Look up the number. Each Maragatham ships with a numbered report you can search on the Check Certificate page; the certification and guarantee page covers a stone later proven synthetic. GemsMantra works with leading labs including GIA, IGI, GRS and GJEPC's IIGJ. Each stone's listing names the lab that issued its report and the report number.

Reading emerald colour and "jardin"

Emerald colour is described by hue (pure green, bluish green or yellowish green), tone (light to dark) and saturation. A vivid, even green in a medium tone is the most sought-after, and saturation usually drives price more than size. The fine inclusions inside emerald have their own trade name, jardin, French for garden, because under a loupe they can look like moss or branches. Jardin is expected in natural emerald. What you want to avoid is a fracture that reaches the surface near the edge of the stone, where a setting will press on it.

Wearing customs, as traditionally stated

Budh's emerald is customarily mounted in gold, or panchdhatu, for the little finger of the working hand, with Wednesday morning as the day to start. Three ratti or more is a weight many astrologers mention, though your own chart decides; the carat to ratti converter translates carat listings into ratti. Peridot is the budget substitute tradition names most often. For a first reading, use the free Gemstone Calculator or book an astrologer consultation (₹499, adjusted against a purchase).

Price snapshot

On 24-Sep-2026, n = 180 emerald listings in the parent collection were in stock. Prices ran from ₹10,125 to ₹37,60,680, with a median of ₹1,02,750. This page shows exactly the same products as the Emerald (Panna) collection, and prices change as stock sells, so the product grid is the live reference.

Read next

• Emerald (Panna) collection
• Panna benefits and wearing guide
• Panna price guide
• Pachu (Telugu, Kannada) name page

Astrological associations on this page describe traditional Vedic belief. Gemstones are not medicines, and no specific outcome is guaranteed. Regional names are given as recorded in the dictionaries and encyclopaedias cited; spellings vary by region.