Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s4.5

v2.c43.s4.5

Gems, they say, were born of the bones of the demon Bala, while others state that they were born of sage Dadhīci, yet others declare that the wonderful variety of gems is caused by the characteristic qualities of the earth.
केचित् भुवः स्वभावाद् वैचित्र्यं प्राहुः उपलानाम्।
kecit bhuvaḥ svabhāvād vaicitryaṃ prāhuḥ uplānām ।
(Br. Sam., 80.3)