Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c24.s1.t1.2

v1.c24.s1.t1.2

The Indian stones of this variety has always been from the amygdaloidal flow of the Deccan trap, chiefly from the State of Rajpipla (Ratanpur near Broach) and also from the inland Narmadā Valley regions around Jabalpur etc. The Bhils have been known to collect these stones and heat them in sun or in cow-dung cake flames. Except a few types such as onyx, cat's eye, the rest of the agates develop carnelian-type colour of different shades. The burning of agates was fully described as early as 1517 by Barbosa. (Schoff, 1912: 193-94) This must have been an age-old practice. Final polishing and export was done at the ports of the Gulf of Cambay.