Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.3
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.3
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v2.c43.s3.t13.3
In terms of hardness, diamond (10) and pearl (4) are poles apart. On account of the high content of organic material (nearly 10-12 per cent of conchiolin), pearl gradually decays and becomes brittle after a long time. Yet, its beautiful lustre has made it as popular as diamond. On the beauty, popularity and worth of the lustrous pearl, Buddhabhaṭṭa wrote eloquently, and his composition (*RP*, 69) was repeatedly quoted later by other authors: