Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s4.4

v1.c11.s4.4

On the other hand, Hargreaves found at Nal in Southern Baluchistan, several strings of beads composed entirely of lapis lazuli, both disc-shaped and cylindrical. It is possible that the lapis lazuli, found at Nal, came from Persia and that for some unknown reason, this source of supply was not readily available to the inhabitants of Mohenjo-Daro who received few samples, probably from Badakshan. Green feldspar (amazon stone) was on the other hand much favoured as a material for beads. The occurrence of beads made of green feldspar in many chalcolithic sites in the near and Middle East including India, is interesting, as few localities are known from which the stone could be procured. Possibly in ancient times a considerable trade was done in this semi-precious stone, which may have been valued for properties other than its beauty. Some considerable difficulty was always experienced in working feldspar into beads, for in whatever country they are found, they are always very irregular in shape.