HESSONITE

Hessonite is Grossular garnet as per gemology and is found in various colours but they are known to derive their name from their first specimen found. This had orange brown colour and this colour is due to manganese and Iron inclusions. The best Hessonite is found in Sri Lanka in metamorphous rocks or gem gravels. In Madagascar it is generally called as Cinnamon stone. It is also found in Brazil, Canada and Siberia as well as in Maine (California) & New Hampshire in USA.
The chemical composition of Hessonite is Calcium Aluminium Silicate. The chemical formula is Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 It has hardness of 7.25,Specific Gravity of 3.65,Refractive index of 1.73-1.75 and Cubic crystal structure .
The Hessonite is the precious stone for Rahu. Its semi precious substitute is Zircon and Amber.
Zircon is chemically Zirconium Silicate with formula of ZrSiO4. This stone is famous for being found in colourless form and their resemblance with diamonds. But it can have colours of yellow ,orange, blue ,red, brown etc. In astrology ,the colour of reddish brown for Zircon is used for Rahu. This stone of gem quality is found as pebbles in alluvial deposits and the best comes from Sri Lanka.Brazil,Thailand,Cambodia,Vietnam,Kampucea,Australia,Burma,Nigeria, Tanzania and France also produce Zircon.
Zircon has hardness of 7.5,specific gravity 4.69, refractive index 1.93-1.98 with a Tetragonal crystal structure.
Amber is the fossilized resin of trees. Most Amber is golden yellow to golden orange, but green ,red, violet and black Amber has also been found. The chemical composition is mixture of organic plant resins and mainly the formula is C10H16O. It normally occurs as nodules or small irregularly shaped masses. When rubbed, Amber produces a negative electrical charge that attracts dust. The most famous deposits are in the Baltic region, particularly along the coast of Poland and former USSR.
Amber has hardness of 2.5,refractive index of 1.54-1.55,specific gravity of 1.08 and Amorphous crystal structure. Amber with golden orange colour is used a substitute for Hessonite.
Amber helps in increasing cell regeneration,strenghthens brain and nervous system. It helps decrease catarrh, ulcers, soreness, hay fever, asthma, convulsions, deafness, insanity, earache, headache, toothache, rheumatism, anxiety, and goiter. It provides balancing influence on liver, kidneys, throat, digestive tract, thyroid, inner ear, brain, central nervous system, teething, intestines and stomach, endocrine system. It is very helpful in joint lubrication and provides fluidity to the muscles, increases elasticity of tendons and removes inflammation of tendons.