Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t3.9

v2.c43.s3.t3.9

Thus, the identity of *vaidūrya* with beryl is well-established. It was known to be quite different from cat’s eye. Kauṭilya listed beryl *vaidūrya* and cat’s eye *mārjāraksaka* as distinctly separate gem (AS, 2.11.30 and 39). Kauṭilya never mentioned *marakata* (emerald, the darker green variety of *vaidūrya* or beryl) which used to be imported to India from Egypt probably after his era. In the post-Christian era, we find *vaidūrya* and *marakata* being mentioned together to mean the same family of green gem.