Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
by Bhudeb Mookerjee | 1938 | 47,185 words | ISBN-10: 8170305829 | ISBN-13: 9788170305828
This third volume of the Rasa-jala-nidhi deals with purification techniques of the Seven Metals (sapta-dhatu) and various Gems (ratna). It also deals with substances such as Alkalis (kshara), Salts (lavana), Poisions (visha) and Semi-poisions (upavisha) as well as various alcholic liquors. The Rasa-jala-nidhi (“the ocean of Iatrochemistry, or, che...
Part 2 - Test of Genuine Emerald
First process.
Genuineness of emeralds is tested by experts by rubbing it with a piece of stone. If treated in this way, it will break into pieces, if it is glass. This is not the case with a genuine emerald.
Second process.
An emerald to be tested is to be scratched with an iron fork and then smeared with lime. Thus treated, a genuine emerald waxes in glaze, whereas an artificial one loses its lustre.
Third process.
The emerald which is broken by another emerald should not be worn or bought.
Fourth process.
Puttika (peridote) loses its lustre by being rubbed with a piece of silken cloth, whereas genuine emerald gains in lustre, if treated in the same way.
Fifth process.
The weight of a genuine emerald is to be ascertained as compared with that of water of the same dimension. The figure, thus obtained, is to be compared with that representing the weight of a piece of stone (to be tested), in relation to the weight of water of the same dimension. If the second figure is much lower than the first, the stone tested is to he considered glass or something other than an emerald. The water displaced by an article immersed into a pot full of water is regarded to be of the same dimension as the article itself.[1]
Sixth process.
Some bhallata (a stone which possesses the colour and some other features of emerald) may appear to resemble a real emerald in colour and other features. The difference between such a stone 'and emerald can be known by a greater clearness of colour in the latter.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
This is a clear reference to the ancient Indians having a knowledge of specific gravity.
Other Rasashastra Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Test of Genuine Emerald’. Further sources in the context of Rasashastra might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Concepts being referred within the main category of Hinduism context and sources.
Conclusion:
This concludes ‘Test of Genuine Emerald’ included in Bhudeb Mookerjee Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory. The text includes treatments, recipes and remedies and is categorised as Rasa Shastra: an important branch of Ayurveda that specialises in medicinal/ herbal chemistry, alchemy and mineralogy, for the purpose of prolonging and preserving life.