Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c40.s3.1

v2.c40.s3.1

The goldsmith was known as *svaranakāra*, who made ornaments as well as coins of gold and silver. Pāṇini referred to some special ornaments; ear-rings (*karṇikā*, later the famous term *maṇikarṇikā* associated with Vārāṇasī), frontlets (*lalatikā*), finger-rings (*aṅguliyaka*) (4.3.62-65), etc. *Ākarṣika* was one skilled person who could test gold on the touchstone (*ākarsa*, 5.2.64). The goldsmith undertook three kinds of jobs. (Agrawala, 1953:235) He could start with new gold or silver bar or ingot brought to him. Secondly, he could melt and re-shape old ornaments: *niṣatapati suvarṇam*. Thirdly he could repolish or brighten the old ornaments by heating them only once (*anāsevane* : Pāṇ., 8.3.102).