TESTING A DIAMOND

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 8

TESTING A DIAMOND

There are a, few quite simple tests by means of which the real diamond may be detected from the false stone. Immerse the suspected jewel in a glass of water and see how it appears. In the case of a real diamond the cut edges will stand out with great clearness; with a' spurious article the stone will co-blend with the water that it can hardly be distinguished. If possible, look through the" diamond at a single black spot on a sheet of white paper (saye "Everyday Science"). If the stone is ■ genuine there will appear to be one sharp, clear spot. A false stone will give a misty view, and quite often there may seem to bo a. number of spote. A tiny drop of water placed on a real diamond will k'eo'p its globular shape, and, can be moved about with a. pin. With a spurious stone, directly the drop is touched tho water spreads all over the surface. Generally speaking, tho cut edges on a real diamond are not so regular as in. the case of an imitation; diamonds are bo valuable that the cutter takes away as little as possible. If a specimen of a real diamond is at hand, test this and tho suspected article with the tip of the tongue. The real diamond feel 6 much colder than the faise.