ratna

Ratna is a Sanskrit word meaning jewel or precious gem. In Hindu and Buddhist literature, as well as in modern usage, it functions as a term for valuable stones and as a personal name. The root ratna is found across many languages descended from Sanskrit, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Nepali, and Bengali.

As a given name, Ratna is primarily used for women in India and Nepal, and it may be written as Ratna or Ratan in transliteration. It appears in compound names such as Ratna Devi or Ratna Singh and can be found in historical and contemporary contexts.

In jewelry and culture, ratna denotes a precious gem, and the term is central to the concept of Navaratna, the "nine gems" believed to confer auspicious qualities. Navaratna jewelry, which assembles the nine stones into a single ornament, is a traditional and widely practiced form in Indian jewelry. The Navaratnas also appear in royal lore and classical literature as emblematic jewels.

Notable people named Ratna include Ratna Pathak Shah, an Indian actress known for stage, television, and film work.

Variations and related terms include ratan, ratna as a transliteration, and the use of ratna in place names and in the titles of works and organizations.