[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Minerals and Metals in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996) › v2.c43.s2.7 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s2.7 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s2.7 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c43.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s2.7) Many Ratnaśāstra texts discuss the norms of price fixation (mūlya) of gems. However, Agastimata (61-75) is the only text which discusses the qualifications of an expert of gems or a gemmologist, titled maṇḍalika, and the various hand-signs (hastasamgā) by which he negotiates transactions with the grāhaka or the customer, thereby crossing language barrier. - [Previous: v2.c43.s2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s2.6) - [Next: v2.c43.s3.t1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s3.t1.1) - [Up: v2.c43.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c43.s2.7) · Pramāṇa