Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t2.6

v2.c43.s3.t2.6

Ruby was known to exist in different shades of red. *Padmarāga* was the red variety with a tinge of white, *nilagandhi* red with a blue or black tint, *saugandhika* yellowish red. The last one was probably known in the West as the orange *padparadsca* (a corrupt form of the word *padmarāga*), the yellowish aurora-red gem from Sri Lanka. (Herbert Smith, Gemstones pp. 289-90) Dull-hued red variety ‘with its lustre remaining within’ was sometimes called *kuruvinda* (*GP*, 1.70.13). Crimson-yellow variety was known as *karundaka* or *kaurandaka* (*MM*, 407; *GP*, 1.74.2). A transparent variety slightly red and yellow was known as *kāṣāyaka* (*RP*, 218; *GP*, 1.74.3). A red variety which appeared to be smeared with milk (*dugdhaliptasma*) was defined as *laśunapadam*, like *laśuna* or garlic (*NRP*, 115).