72 - On the test of Gems - Sapphire 

Suta said: 

1. Both the eyes of the demon Bala resplendent like the full blown lotus fell in a place where the Simhala maidens were busy culling the tender shoots and flowers of the creeper Lavali (Phyllanthus Longifoluis) with their tender fingers resembling tender shoots. 

2. The marshy foreshore of the ocean hedged by the plant Ketaka¹ on which waves from either side lash shines brilliantly due to the abundance of Sapphires. 

1. Pandanus tectorius.

3. There the sapphire gems of bluish shades are found, just as the blue lotus, ploughshare section, honey bee, Vişhnu's body, Shiva's neck, Kaşhaya flower and the flowers of Girikarņika¹ (those which are not white).

1. Probably symphorema polyandrum, GVDB, P. 138.

4. Some have the colour of the waters of the clear blue sea; others resemble a flock of peacocks; some have the refulgence of bubbles coming from blue juice of indigo plant; and some have the colour of the neck of intoxicated cuckoo. 

5. There many sapphire gems of great potency can be found; they are of uniform size, clear lustre and fine colour. 

6. Defective sapphires are those encrusted with clay, rockbits and gravels, those with holes, those having the flaw of Trása (tremulousness), and those impregnated with traces of mica. Some are defective in their colour. 

7. Poets well versed in the sacred technical literature praise the genuine gems found there (Simhala). 

8. Virtues resulting from wearing sapphire are the same as in the case of rubies. 

9. Three types of Rubies have been enumerated before based on their sources. The same applies to sapphires also with out any difference. 

10. The modes of testing the genuineness of sapphire are the same as those in the case of Rubies. 

11. The sapphire stands the test of fire of a longer duration than the ruby. It can withstand a greater quantity of heat.

12. Still, under no circumstances, should any gem be subjected to the test of fire seeking more brilliancy.

13. While the test is being carried out some new defects due to the process of burning may enter the gems. This brings ill-luck to the owner, the man who conducts the test and the man who induced him to conduct it. 

14. Spurious sapphires are akin to the genuine ones in colour but actually alien are glass, marble, Karavira and crystals,

15. Heaviness and firmness increase in glass, etc. in order. This should be noted.

16. If a sapphire has a tinge of copper colour in it, it shall be preserved. So also Karavira and Upala marble if they have the copper tinge.

17. That sapphire which has a brilliant flash like the thunderbolt in its centre is of great potency and very rare. It is the real Indranila. 

18. The sapphire that turns milk hundred times its weight entirely blue is called Mahånila. This is because of the profusion of the colour. 

19. The price of a Maşha of ruby is the same as that of four Maşhas of sapphire of great virtue.