zumurrud (Emerald)
Egypt
10th Century
Recipe Details
Ingredients
black talc, golden marcasite, soft red sand
Preparation Steps
The first thing encountered in the emerald mines is black talc which, when exposed to fire, appears like golden marcasite. Through further digging the soft red sand in which emeralds occur is reached (p. 159). Small stones used for rings are found in the sand; large ones in galleries and veins (p. 159).
Original Recipe Text
The first thing encountered in the emerald mines is black talc which, when exposed to fire, appears like golden marcasite. Through further digging the soft red sand in which emeralds occur is reached (p. 159). Small stones used for rings are found in the sand; large ones in galleries and veins (p. 159).
Evidence
"Diameter: 12 mm, enclosed in rock: 85 x 50 mm. Total weight: 120 g. (Inventory No. K 3.48)"
Remarks
Zumurrud and zabarğad are often considered the same stone in Arabic sources. Mining sites include Upper Egypt, Sindān and Kambāyāt in India, and Buga in the Far East (p. 173).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
weighing
fire testing
measurement of diameter
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorGreen
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year950
Source Information
AI Suggestions
Find similar recipes based on ingredients and preparation methods.