In a review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek wrote: "Jewels of Thought sees Sanders moving out from his signature tenor for the first time and delving deeply into reed flutes and bass clarinet.

The plethora of percussion instruments utilized by everyone is, as expected, part of the mix..." Regarding "Sun in Aquarius", Jurek commented: "It's more like a finished exorcism... but it is one of the most astonishing pieces by Sanders ever.

"[1] Regarding "Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah", Daniel Martin-McCormick, in a review for Pitchfork, commented: "By allowing soulful prettiness alongside more vicious passages, Sanders opens the album up, connecting the dots between joyful communion and unflinching catharsis.

Even after a mid-side comedown and a breathtaking bass duet from Cecil McBee and Richard Davis, he leaps back in undeterred, firing out one of his heaviest solos like a machine gun.

"[2] A review at Soundohm states: "The compositional minimalism of Jewels of Thought is a major thread through Sanders albums of this period, setting up a sparse canvas for colorful tenor saxophone meditations.