Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c22.s2.10

v1.c22.s2.10

Pliny (N.H., 37.20) wrote that the lapidaries cut all beryls to a hexagonal form, because the colour is heightened by the reflection from the angles. Apparently, he was unaware that the hexahedral was the natural form of beryl. Beryls came mainly from the Coimbatore district of Madras. Pliny also made a very significant statement: “The people of India, by colouring crystal, have found a method of imitating various precious stones, beryls in particular”.