Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t2.5

v2.c43.s3.t2.5

*Padmarāga* or red ruby used to come to the ancient India from the gem-beds of Sri Lanka. The valley of the river *Rāvaṇagaṅgā*, overgrown with Areca-palms was strewn with varieties of ruby (*GP*, 1.70.3-17). *Padmarāga* was also known as *māṇikya* and *cunni* (from *cūrṇikā*, small pieces). Best ruby has been described as red like lotus (*padmarāga*), transparent, brilliant, heavy and clear. *Agastimata*, 213 classified ruby on the basis of the amount of radiance emitted above, below and on sides, when held against the sun. If the radiance spreaded all around, indicating lack of crystallinity, then the piece was considered to be spurious (*RYP*, 68).