Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t1.9

v2.c43.s3.t1.9

RRS typified most of the Ratnaśāstra texts while endorsing sex- and caste-based chauvinism. It not only divided diamond (and most other gem categories) into ‘castes’ (based on colour) and ‘genders’ (based on geometrical features) but also recommended that persons of specific caste and gender should use diamonds of the corresponding type only. It went further, and noted with an air of conclusion that categorisation of all objects into castes and genders is of universal applicability.