Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c13.s2.t1.5

v1.c13.s2.t1.5

The Harappans used steatite, a soft stone for making seals and beads and then hardened the same. A paste of finely ground talcose steatite was squeezed through one millimeter diameter perforations having 0.5 mm diameter copper or bronze wires in centre of the perforations to produce hollow tubes which were cut into small bits and then hardened by firing at 900°C. According to Hegde et al. this was the method of production of steatite beads.