In ancient times, it was known that gems—especially diamonds—could arise in families that had been destroyed or on days considered inauspicious. Even when these gems were purified and examined, it was advised that kings should seek the expertise of those skilled in the science of gemology—experts and experienced gem-appraisers—to properly assess their value and quality. Diamonds, which the wise declared to possess great power, were said to be found wherever even a fragment had touched the earth. Their regions of origin included Hemamāṭaṅga, Saurāṣṭra, Pauṇḍra, Kaliṅga, and Kośala. Diamonds from the Himalayas were coppery in hue; those associated with the moon were moon-like; those from the banks of the bamboo were remembered as Sauvira stones; and those resembling dark lotuses, clouds, or copper were attributed to Saurāṣṭra. A truly excellent diamond was described as extremely light in color and quality, with well-formed sides, evenly marked by lines, dots, and spots, and free from defects such as crow’s feet and other flaws. The arrangement of colors within diamonds was so intricate that even the forms of the gods could be discerned by their patterns. Natural colors—green, white, yellow, tawny, dark, and coppery—were considered pleasing. Different colors were prescribed for different castes. For a Brahmin, the diamond should be as pure as conch, lotus, or crystal; for a Kshatriya, it should resemble the color of a hare, brown, or the eye. The wise prescribed two specific diamond colors for rulers of the earth, but these were not common to all people. When a diamond possessed all colors and qualities, it was considered universal. The mixture of colors, whether in the lower or upper forms, was to be considered, but a wise person should not select a diamond merely based on the division of paths or forms. If even one tip of the diamond was split or broken, or if it was cracked by fire, stained, or spotted, it was deemed mediocre. If any part displayed a blood-like appearance or was marked with red coloring, this too was a flaw. Diamonds were said to have six, eight, or twelve facets. Among these, the six-faceted diamond, pure, spotless, with sharp, clear edges, good color, light, well-sided, and free from defects, was especially prized. One who wore such a diamond, with a sharp tip, spotless and free from all defects, and with a devoted body, would be protected from serpents, fire, poison, tigers, thieves, water, and other dangers. A diamond free from all defects and weighing twenty grains of rice was ideal. If the diamond’s weight was lacking by a third, half, or a quarter, or measured thirteen or thirty grains, then half portions were considered. The original price prescribed for a diamond was the equivalent of twelve grains of rice, though the method for wearing diamonds was not determined solely by their weight. A diamond endowed with all virtues was said to surpass even water in excellence. Yet, even the slightest flaw—whether visible or not—rendered it defective. Whether the flaw was obvious, numerous, small, or great, it was evident to the skilled eye. If a diamond displayed a clear defect in its ornamentation, it was still considered flawed. Sometimes, a diamond endowed with all virtues at first could acquire a defect later, once it was set in an ornament. It was also taught that a woman desiring the birth of a good son should not wear a diamond, even if it was of the highest quality. Imitations of diamonds were made with iron, red spinel, and hessonite; skilled artisans crafted these to resemble true diamonds. Their authenticity should be tested with crystal, corundum, and whetstones—a true diamond would scratch all of these, but would not be scratched by them. In the case of a false diamond, experts described the opposite effect. A diamond could only be scratched by another diamond, not by anything else. Of those diamonds that were set, their luster did not rise upward; when scratched sideways, they were struck on the sides. Even if the tip was broken, or it had a spot, a line, or was discolored, these characteristics were carefully observed by those who understood the mysteries and virtues of the vajra, the diamond.