ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Suryakanta (Sunstone), a feldspar-group mineral, is described in Rasashastra texts, where Shodhana (purification) by the principle of Svedana (boiling) has been prescribed. Although Shodhana is considered an essential pharmaceutical process for mineral drugs, scientific evidence regarding its influence on the microstructural characteristics of Suryakanta is limited. Petrographic thin-section analysis provides a reliable geological technique for evaluate microscopic structural changes induced by pharmaceutical processing. This study is aimed to evaluate the petrographic changes occurring in Sunstone before and after purification using a polarizing petrographic microscope. Materials and Methods: Sunstone samples were procured from Khambhat, Gujarat. One sample was retained as sample A (Raw), while the other sample (sample B) underwent classical purification by continuous boiling in Juice of Citrus Limon L. using Dolayantra for 9 hours. Petrographic thin sections of both the samples were prepared in the Department of Geology (Petrology), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara, Gujarat. Comparative examination was performed under Plane Polarized Light (PPL) and Cross Polarized Light (XPL) using a MOTIC PM-28 Series Polarizing Microscope. Results: Comparative petrographic examination revealed that the characteristic feldspar-dominated crystalline texture was preserved in both samples. Twinning, cleavage, grain boundaries, fractures, and inclusions were observed. Minor differences in grain-boundary appearance and opaque material were noted after purification. Conclusion: purification produced only subtle petrographic alterations without affecting the overall feldspar crystalline framework, indicating that the classical purification process preserved the mineralogical integrity of Suryakanta.