Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s7.4

v2.c41.s7.4

Gold-smelting was known as suvarṇapāka (1.18.8). Gold was purified by a process of extraction with molten lead. Gold thus produced was brittle and had to be re-smelted. Thereafter, it was turned into leaves by heating, and made bright with Indus-earth when it became the base of various colours to be imparted through alloying with silver, copper, iron, etc. (2.13.6-9 & 47). Similarly, silver could also be purified using molten lead and then used as such (pure silver suitable for ornament is tāra) or alloyed to produce different colours (2.13.10-14 & 49).