Part 1 - Characteristics of Zercon (gomeda)

It is a kind of quartz of a yellowish red colour. A zercon (gomeda, literally, cow’s fat) is so called simply because it resembles beef’s tallow in colour. This stone is of a reddish yellow colour.

Good zercons.

Zercons of the following description are good:—(1) having the colour of cow's urine which is very clear, (2) transparent, (3) appearing to be smeared with oil, (4) level-surfaced, (5 heavy, (6) devoid of layers, (7) smooth, and (8) bright.

Zercon of bad qualities.

These are as follows:—(1) devoid of secondary colour, (2) light, (3) rough-surfaced, (4) flat-shaped, (5) appearing to have a layer, (6) devoid of brightness, and (7) appearing to resemble glass of yellow colour.

Secondary Colours of Gems.

Every gem has any of the following sub-colours (in addition to the predominant one):—(1) white, (2) red, (3) yellow, and (1) black. This is also the case with zercons.

Zercon is principally of reddish yellow colour; but it must have, in addition, any of the four subcolours mentioned above.

Zercon of highly excellent qualities.

Such a zercon is heavy, brilliant, white, appearing to be smeared with an oily substance, soft, or very ancient (i.e., one which was metamorphosed long ago into its present state, from the state of a quartz), and transparent. Such a zercon is a giver of wealth and fortune to its wearer.

Properties of zercon.

Zercon cures an excess of phlegm and pitta. It is beneficial in wasting diseases and anemia. It increases the power of digestion and appetite. It is beneficial to the skin.