Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t2.10

v2.c43.s3.t2.10

*Indranīla* or sapphire was known to the Indians as a different category of gem-mineral (*AS*, 2.11.31), but we know now, that this is blue corundum (vide Table 7.2). According to Buddhabhatta (*RP*, 195-196; also supported in *GP*, 1.72.17-18 and *MM*, 405), a sapphire in which the colours of the rainbow sparkle is an *indranīla*, and the one which turns the milk in a bowl blue, is a *mahānīla*. The Agastimata however labels the second variety as *indranīla* (*AM*, 268), the sapphires from Sri Lanka *mahānīla* and the rest of the sapphires from other sources as plain *nīlas*. Utpala, mentioned in *Arthaśāstra* and *Maṇimālā*, is greenish blue and could be aquamarine rather than sapphire.