History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c17.s3.t2.4

v1.c17.s3.t2.4

This variety is well-known as *emerald* or *marakata* which was not mentioned by Kautilya and the best samples were imported later to India probably from Ethiopia, Egypt, and during the Muslim period, from Turkey. Lattice substitution by iron to the extent of 0.5 to 2 per cent makes the crystal light blue, and such natural crystals have been known as aquamarine or *Pāribhadra*. Greenish blue *utpalavarṇa* in *AS* 2.11.30 and *indīvara śyamavapu utpala* in *Manimālā* (p.510) is likely to be aquamarine. Ancient India was famous for the light-green as well as light blue beryl/aquamarine, the best supplies originating from Paddur, Kangayam and several other sites in the Coimbatore district. Beryl is also known to occur in yellowish green and pure golden yellow colour. *Marakata* or emerald became popular in India only after Kauṭilya’s era. Probably, *marakata* or emerald was imported to India during the onset of the Christian era.