Part 1 - Characteristics of Emerald (marakata)

Characteristics of a good emerald.

The following seven are the features of a good emerald (marakata):—

(1) green colour, (2) heaviness, (3) softness, (4) radiating rays, (5) smoothness, (6) brightness, and (7) density.

Characteristics of a bad emerald.

A bad emerald is (1) tawny, (2) coarse, (3) blue, (4) pale-black (5) light, (6) flat-shaped (7) ugly, (8) black, and (9) rough.

Properties of emerald.

(a) Emerald, duly incinerated, can cure fever, nausea, poison, asthma, abnormal excess of the three doshas, loss of the power of digestion, piles, anemia, and swelling of the body. It increases vitality.

(b) Everything growing in a mine of emerald can counteract the evil effects of poison. Poison of a highly venomous snake, incapable of being cured by all sorts of incantations and herbal drags, can be done away with by emerald (duly incinerated),

Emeralds of superior quality.

Emerald of superior quality is very green, soft, and complex in lustre by the penetration of rays from outside. Its interior appears to be full of dust of gold. It is characterised by a structural excellence and uniformity of colour. It is not lighten weight. On sun’s rays being reflected upon it, the whole room is illuminated. Without giving up the greenness of its colour, it keeps within itself its inherent lustre. It resembles in luster the beauty of green grass brightened with the effulgence of lightning. Its very sight pleases the mind.