History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s3.5

v1.c34.s3.5

The few indigenous chemicals used by the Sunār in the process of his work are the Suhāgā (borax) as a flux in melting metals and the mango parings (amachul) to clean and brighten the objects. The application of salt is completed with the help of sal ammoniac (nausādar) and alum (phitkarī). Finally, the mānik ret (ruby dust) is rubbed over the ornament to level the surface of the finished articles.