Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s4.21

v2.c41.s4.21

At the end was mentioned kācamaṇi, the amorphous gems or artificial gems imitated by colouring glass (2.11.36). The technique of maṇirāga or imparting of colour to produce artifical gems was specifically mentioned (1.18.8; 2.12.1). The Indians were experts in producing artificial gems like beryl, ruby, sapphire, etc., and this has been attested by the Greek and Roman travellers and recorded in Sanskrit literature like the famous play Mṛcchakaṭika.