Part 1 - Characteristics of Moon-stone (chandrakanta) and Sun-stone (suryakanta)

The quartzes which grow in the peaks of the Himalayas are very clear and bright like the moon’s rays. Of these, the variety which emits fire on the sun’s rays being reflected upon it, is called the Surya-kanta (or sun’s favourite). It is the best of all the gems. There is another variety of this quartz, called the Chandra-kanta (or Moon’s favourite). This is also a very precious gem, and is very rare. On moon’s rays being reflected upon it, drops of water of nectar-like potency are shed by it.

Properties of Sun-stone.

The Sun-stone (suryakanta) is warm, clear, and rasayana (preventer and curer of senility and diseases). It pacifies an excess of vayu and kapha (phlegm), and increases memory. The planet sun (i.e. its presiding Deity) is propitiated, if this stone is kept carefully.

Properties of the Moonstone.

The moon-stone (candrakanta) is cool, appearing to be smeared with oil, pacifier of rakta-pitta (hemorrhage) and inflammation. It is pleasing to Siva—the Great Deity, and is a remover of the malignant influence of the planets^[1] and misfortune.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Properly speaking, the planets do not exert any influence, good or bad, on human destiny. What they actually do is to indicate good or bad luck to human beings (by their peculiar configuration)