Non-destructive evaluation – a tool to identify genuine shaligram.

‘Shaligram’ is a special kind of stone. In India it has significant importance in the religious context. Shaligrams occur in nature in various colours and shapes. Some of them have a liquid entrapped in them. Since their occurrence is rare, it is observed that some artificial shaligrams are being traded. Presently there exists no means to ascertain the genuineness of such a shaligram. In this study, it is demonstrated that a fake shaligram containing liquid can be identified by two different non-destructive evaluation methods, ie ultrasonics and radiography, by detecting the presence of capping material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]