Mohammed Ben Mansur: Gawahirnama

(Book of Precious Stones) (about1300)

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Emery

Taken from: Extracts and Notes on Mohammed Ben Mansur’s : Book of Precious Stones; By Daniel E Russell

 

Also called: The Jawahir-nama (ff. 16-376) of Amin Sadru'd- Din Muhammad b. Mir

Ghiyathu'd-Din Mansur of Shiraz, composed for Abu'l-Fath Khalil Bayandari

 

CHAP. XIV. Of the Senbade (Emery?)

Sect. 1. Of the Properties of the Senbade

It is a hard stone, which polishes iron and steel. It is distinguished from stones which resemble it by its hardness,

which is next to that of the diamond, which alone scratches it. It is either reddish or blueish.

Sect. 2. Of the Mines of the Senbade

It is found in many places, as in India, Zanguebar, Siwas, Kerman (1), Nubia, and Ethiopia. The best comes from

Nubia and Siwas.

(1) Kerman: known in ancient times as the satrapy of Carmania, is the capital city of Kerman Province, Iran.