Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s7.6

v2.c41.s7.6

The range of a goldsmith’s expertise lay in setting, stringing, bead-making, making of solid and hollow objects, plating, coating, fixing and gilding (2.13.37-46; 2.14.17). *ghanam suṣiram saṃyuhyam avalepyaṃ saṃghātyaṃ vāsitakaṃ ca kārukarma* (2.14.17). The main products were *kāncana pṛṣata tvaṣṭr tapaṇīya* (2.13.33) gems set on silver and gold, beads, gold-plates and gold/silver ornaments. Setting is the fixing of gems (*kṣepaṇaḥ kācārpaṇādi* (2.13.38) on gold and silver base. Stringing is weaving in threads (2.13.39). Gold plating (*tvaṣṭrkarma*) could be done on silver or copper (2.13.44-45). Gilding a silver article was done by means of the liquid or powder of sand vermilion (2.13.46).