Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.s6.t2.4

v2.c44.s6.t2.4

Two varieties of rasaka or calamine were known: karavellaka and dardura. The process of extracting zinc from calamine was described; this was almost identical with that noted in Rasaratnasamuccaya. The essence (sattva) of rasaka, that is zinc metal, was a reduction-cum-distillation product like rasa (mercury), and hence the name rasaka. It possessed the lustre of lead.