Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.70

v2.c43.s3.t13.70

One test-procedure consisted of immersing the sample, suspected to be a fake pearl, in hot oil mixed with a pinch of common salt, as the first step. Then the sample had to be soaked overnight in water, and rubbed with dry cloth and grains of paddy. If the colour did not fade, the pearl was considered to be genuine. (RP, 104-105; GP, 1.69. 39-40 and MM, 323-325). Another method was suggested in Agastimata. The sample was to be mixed with salt and cow’s urine, and the mixture heated over fire. Then it had to be rubbed with a quantity of chaff. A false pearl would be reduced to fragments on this treatment, while a real one would shine more brightly. (AM, 167-169 and MM, 326-327).