The stone of the Sun governs vitality, authority and the self that stands at the centre of a life. Ruby is prescribed where the Sun is weakened or afflicted, and its effect is felt as returning energy, clearer command and a willingness to occupy your own position rather than deferring.

• Look forBurma, Mozambique and Madagascar. Unheated, transparent, and a saturated red rather than a flat one.
• SettingTraditionally gold, usually 18k. Ring finger, right hand.

The Moon governs the mind, the emotions and the quality of your inner weather. Pearl is prescribed for turbulence: anxiety that will not settle, sleep that will not come, a mind that turns and turns. It works gently and slowly, which is characteristic of the Moon.

• Look forReal lustre and an even skin. The glow should come from inside, not sit on the surface.
• SettingTraditionally silver, or 18k gold if you prefer. Little finger.

Mars is courage, drive, physical strength and the capacity to act. Coral is prescribed where that force is blocked or misdirected: procrastination, low physical vitality, anger that leaks sideways instead of moving things forward. It is one of the more immediately felt stones.

• Look forItalian, Japanese and Taiwanese, from ox blood to orange red. Untreated and undyed, always.
• SettingGold, silver or copper. Most often 18k gold. Ring finger.

Mercury governs intellect, speech, commerce and the quick connective mind. Emerald is prescribed for clouded thinking, difficulty being understood, faltering negotiation, and for anyone whose living depends on articulating themselves well.

• Look forZambia produces the finest, with Colombian and Brazilian also worth looking at. Inclusions are normal, so judge on depth of green and life in the stone.
• SettingTraditionally gold, usually 18k. Little finger.

Jupiter is the great benefic: wisdom, expansion, teachers, prosperity and grace. Pukhraj is the most commonly prescribed stone in the tradition and the most widely loved, because Jupiter's support tends to arrive as doors opening rather than as effort.

• Look forCeylon, Madagascar and Thailand. A clean warm yellow with no brown or green cast. Citrine and topaz are often sold as yellow sapphire and are different stones entirely.
• SettingTraditionally gold, usually 18k. Index finger.

Venus governs love, beauty, artistry, luxury and the capacity for pleasure. Diamond is prescribed where that dimension of life has gone flat: creative work that will not come, relationships that will not settle, an existence that has become all duty and no delight.

• Look forNatural rather than laboratory grown. A smaller stone of good quality outperforms a larger dull one.
• SettingWhite gold, platinum or silver, or 18k for warmth. Middle or little finger.

Where diamond is not suitable, or not within reach, opal is worn for Venus in its place. It carries the same planetary light at a fraction of the cost, which makes it one of the most accessible ways into this work. The same qualities apply: love, beauty, artistry and the capacity for pleasure.

• Look forAustralian and Ethiopian. Genuine play of colour that shifts as the stone moves, on a clean body colour.
• SettingSilver, white gold or 18k gold. Middle or little finger.

Saturn is discipline, structure, endurance and the slow work of building something that lasts. Neelam is the fastest acting stone in the tradition and the most demanding of respect. Where it suits a chart, results can arrive within days. Where it does not suit, it is equally quick in the other direction.

• Look forCeylon and Madagascar are the mainstays, Kashmir rare and priced accordingly. A true cornflower blue, transparent and even. Heated and diffused sapphire is not the same stone.
• SettingTraditionally silver or white metal, 18k gold an option. Middle finger.