246 - The testing of gems

Agni said:

1-7. Ishall describe the characteristics of gems. The gems that are to be worn by the kings are diamond, emerald, ruby, pearl, sapphire, mahanila (a kind of sapphire), lapis lazuli, gandhašasyaka(?), moon-stone, sun-stone, crystal, pulaka, karketana, topaz and the jyotirasa. Crystal, rajapatta (an inferior kind of diamond) and rājamaya are auspicious. O Brahmin! Ruby, gañjà, conch-shell of a variety, gomeda, rudhirākṣha (holy beads and the marking nut (are auspicious). O Excellent brahmin! Dhüli emerald, blue vitriol, lead, pilu, coral girivajra (?) the gem (found) in the serpents, auspicious diamond, titţibha(?), pinda(?), bhrāmara (a kind of stone?) and utpala-(these) gems set in gold (and worn) would confer prosperity and success. Inward lustre, free from impurities and good formation of theshape (are the characteristics of good gems). 

8-15. Such gems could be worn. Those not having lustre, impure, cracked and containing pebbles insideshould not at all be worn. It is commendable to wear the diamond. The diamond that could be carried away by water, that is unbreakable, without impurity, of hexagonalshape, has the lustre of the rainbow, light and (brilliant) like the sun is auspicious (to wear). Similarly an emerald possessing the hues of the plumes of a parrot, glossy, radiant, without impurity and containing minute particles resembling powdered gold is auspicious. The rubies got from crystal mines would be extremely red and spotless. Those got from (the place) Kuruvinda are naturally red. and those got from sulphur mines are of dark brown (colour). The pearls got from oysters are free from impurities. O Sage! Those got from the conch-shells are superior to them. (The pearls) obtained from the tusks and temples of the elephants, those got from the boars and fish and those found in the bamboos and clouds are excellent. Rotundity, whiteness, transparency and heaviness are the (good) qualities in a pearl. A good sapphireshines in the milk, spreads more lustre and tinge of its own colour. Itshould be declared as invaluable. The lapis lazuli of red-blue (colour) is excellent andshould be used in a necklace and other (ornaments).