354 
Minerals of Ceylon. 
CHAPTER XVII. 
Minerals of Ceylon. 
1. HE minerals of Ceylon are numerous, and the island has 
long been particularly famous for its precious stones, of wliich 
we find not less than about tv/enty different sorts. I was en- 
abled to procure specimens of them all, which I brought 
home with me to Europe, both in a rough and polislied state. 
The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond of Ceylon or Matura, 
are not by any means so valuable as those of Golconda or the 
Brazils. The sapphire, amethyst, aqua marine, and tourmalin, 
are on the contrary equal to those of any other country. 
The diamond of Ceylon is seldom completely transparent, but 
generally appears of a milky colour. Burning has the effect 
of rendering it somewhat purer. It is cut for rings and but- 
tons, in which I have already said the Ceylonese are very ex- 
travagant. As it is found in great abundance, it is not by 
any means high-priced here. 
The ruby or laal is esteemed according to its clearness, the 
deepness of its red, and its freedom from flaws. These stones 
are seldom found of any considerable size in Ceylon ; and 
most frequently are no larger than grains of barley. They 
are of three sorts, distinguished by the shades of red. 
The Jiyacinth, garnet, and cinnamon stone is found in great 
plenty ; as also agate of different colours, of which they make 
sword-handles, snuff-boxes, &c. 
