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Values as determined by Abu
Rayhan Beruni
Gold                        ' 19.05
Mercury                       13.58
Lead                             11.33
Silver                            10.35
Bronze                            8.82
Copper                           8.70
Brass                               8.57
Iron                                7.74
Tin                                 7.31
Sapphire                         3.97
Oriental Ruby               3.85
Ruby                              3.58
Emerald                         2.75
Pearl                               2.69
Lapis Lazuli                   2.60
Cornelian                       2.56
Amber (?)                      2.53
Rock crystal                  2.50
Modern Authorities
Figures cited by Figures cited by
Clement-Mullet                Bolton
19.26                         19.30
13.59                         13.568
11.35                          11.346
10.47                          10.52
10.47                            8.05 to 8.95
8.85                            8.78
8.85                            8.58
7.79                            7.79
7.29                            7.29
3.99                            3.99
3.90                            3.90
3.52 mohs.                 3.52
2.7373                       2.73
2.75                            2.75
2.90                            2.90
2.61                            2.61
1.08                            1.08 (?)
2.58 mohs                  2.58
whereby he intended to find the volume/weight of water displaced
from the vessel. For this experiment, it was first ensured by him that
the metal/mineral was clean and so also the water. The water used
by him in his experiments was that of the Jayhun (Oxus) river in (the
capital of) Khwarazm drawn during the kharif (autumn) season. For,
undoubtedly the results (according to him) depended on the quality
of the water used in its changing conditions in different regions and
seasons. From the weight/volume of the water displaced from the
vessel on immersion of 100 mithqal of each metal/mineral he determined the relative difference between their weights and volumes. . .
'Abu Rayhan and his followers have prepared a standard Table of the
quantity of water that pours out of the vessel when (i) 100 mithqal
of gold, silver or any other metal/mineral are put into it; (ii) when
nine different metals/minerals equivalent in volume of 100 mithqal
of gold, are put into it; (iii) when gemstones equivalent in volume to
100 mithqal of Celestial Hyacinth (al-Yaqut al-'Asmanjuni) are put
it; and (iv) when any weights, which have volume equal to that of
100 mithqal when out of water, and different when inside water.
(Al-Taftazani: Sharh Maqasid fi 'llm 'Usui 'Aqa'id al-Din, Al-Haj
Muharram Effendi Press, Istanbul, Jumada-I, 1305 A.H., p. 376).
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