Ratna Pariksha is an ancient science on testing
gemstones.[1][2] It was used by the Kosadhyaksha (Superintendent of Treasury) and mentioned in
Kautilya'sArthashastra in order to control the trade of pearl, diamonds and all the other important gems in antiquity.[3] It classifies gemstones into Maha-Ratna and Upa-ratna (lit. Great Gems and Second Class Gems).[4]
History
Ratna Pariksha is mentioned in Kautilya's Arthashastra (323-299 B.C.).[5]Vatsayana, the author of the
Kamasutra also mentions rupa-ratna-pariksha.[6] The method was also studied by princes in
Karnataka during the medieval period.[7]
The author of this treatise is very commonly known to be one Buddha Bhatt. There is also mention of another author in the medieval period,
Thakkar Pheru, who is again credited with having worked on this subject. There's a mention of one Vaidyaraj Shri Radha Krisha Navetia who uses Ratna Pariksha for preparing a type of alcohol meant in the use of gem refining.[8]
Mubarak, Abu al-Fazl ibn (1551-1602) (1978), The A'in-I Akbari : an encyclopaedia of Hindu philosophy, science, literature and customs, with the life of the author and Akbar's wise sayings, vol. 3, translator: Jarrett, H. S, revised and further annotated by
Jadunath Sarkar, New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation{{
citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)