Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c42.s2.t1.24

v2.c42.s2.t1.24

Quartz or rock crystal has been mentioned several times as *sphaṭika* in the *Mahābhārata* (2.3.16 & 27; 3.212.13-14; 12.326.3-5 etc.). Due to its resemblance with glass, which was used to imitate gems, it came to be known as *kācamaṇi*, and gradually got devalued as a common place material. The epic mentions few other minerals such as *nīlāñjana* (12.326.3) which is probably the blue pigment carrollite, *ásmasāra* (2.47.14) (was it iron or agate or amethyst?) which was used to make *bhāṇḍa* or containers.