Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t11.18

v2.c43.s3.t11.18

Rasaratnasamuccaya (RRS) mentioned vimala or pyrite occurring in several kinds: tāra vimala (silver-like iron pyrite or vimalaka), hema vimala (golden chalcopyrite) and kāṃsya vimala or arsenopyrite (RRS, 2.95). These were mentioned as rasas or ores from which metal could be extracted. Only the first one, namely tāra vimala or iron pyrite had been used as a minor gem in India and that too well before the thirteenth century AD.