fustuqi (seagreen). Buqalmun is that in which these colours glitter.
Different colours are exhibited when (the stones) are turned (in different
directions). They resemble the Bubaraqish bird whose feathers shine in
different colours in light and shadow.
And further he says: "KarkaPian asfari deceives the gazer, as it is
entirely like the asfari ruby. The two can be distinguished only in the
light and by friction. It contains more moisture." As for Al-Kindi's
statement that the light radiated by the gem can be seen only when the
gem is rolled or moved, it seems that these are not its natural colours,
but illusions.
Buqalmun and Bubaraqish can be seen in the pieces of crystals.
Different beautiful colours appear upon the surface of the crystal. Such
colours are also seen by a person who narrows his eyes a little and his
eyebrows cast a shadow between the eye and the sun.
Nasr says: "The best of this kind is bright yellow, glittering and
radiating. This is followed by the khuluqi which is bright coloured; this
is followed by the gulnari which is brighter and more colourful than the
khuluqi. Of these varieties the gulnari is the best."
The Khaki Kind
Among the stones of this kind the best kind is the ta'usi followed
by the azure-blue and abguni (water-coloured) kinds. The best one
which is water-coloured is closer to the white kind. Other kinds are
KuhU and nifti though they are inclined to be darkish. One mithqal of
the ta'usi fetches ten dinars, and the price goes on declining till the price
of one dinar per one mithqal is arrived at,
Nasr writes: "The ghubari kind has an hierarchy of its own. Ghubari
stones are distinguished because of the depth of their colour. The best is
the cerulean, followed by the azure, blue, and the dark-brown fkuhsi)
variety. The best named is deep in colour." Al-Kindi writes:
At times the azure variety appears to be pale. It is heated till the
paleness disappears. On further heating the original khaki colour disappears too.
(This statement of Al-Kindi argues for the fact that the pale colour
is less lasting than the khaki). I have seen a gem-piece weighing about 40
mithqals. A larger piece is yet to be seen. A white piece of the same
weight has also been observed by us.
Our Khwarizmian treasury also contained a piece weighing over 60
mithqals. It had the picture of girl who had drawn up both her legs to
her chest and supported her chin upon them, with her fingers inserted
between her toes.
Al-KindT had purchased a pouch containing stones. About it he says:
"Apparently it contained the stones of all colours, but upon observation
