Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.63

v2.c43.s3.t13.63

Like diamond, ruby, etc. pearls were also classified into four ‘castes’: brāhmaṇa (white), kṣatriya (red), vaiśya (yellow) and śūdra (black) (MM, 250, 263-64, 292-94, 299-301). Somewhat more scientific of a categorisation was attempted by declaring that pearls could acquire characteristics of any one of the five elements: kṣiti or earth (corresponding pearls are heavy), ap water (cool and white), tej energy (light), marut air (brittle), vyom sky (pearls are soft and light) (MM, 296-298). Another alternative postulate was that a pearl could be formed under the influence of three things: