| Diamond
or Imitation
The
weight of the stone can be compared to the weight of diamonds
of the same size. determining if With the exception of glass,
diamonds generally weigh less than imitations of the same
size. an instrument This means the diamonds will sink more
slowly in heavy liquids than most imitations. tester The stone
is x-rayed.
Diamonds
are extremely transparent to x-rays. Imitations aren't. that
diamonds Diamonds also normally fluoresce blue when exposed
to x-rays. A light is directed through the stone with an instrument
called a spectroscope to measure how it absorbs light. Diamonds
have characteristic readings.
A
thermal The stone is placed under short-wave and long-wave
ultraviolet light and the is compared to that of a diamond.
flea markets, the GIA Gem Perhaps you have heard of hardness
tests in which the stone is scratched with something work
City or in like a carbide scriber. If the stone can't be scratched,
it is assumed to be a diamond because of its exceptional hardness.
Most diamond professionals would advise against using this
test because of the risk of damage to the stone. It's not
a necessary test and the results can be misleading.
The
following story illustrates this. Several years ago, a pawnbroker
in the USA was called to a bank by a government many of them
official and relative of a deceased person. They wanted him
to examine a large colorless gemologists emerald-cut stone
in the safe-deposit box of the deceased person and verify
if it was a diamond.
After
a quick look with his loupe, the pawnbroker said it was definitely
not a diamond. The official and relative asked the pawnbroker
to explain why he thought it was an imitation because certain
features it seemed odd to put a worthless stone in a safe.
He
indicated that it was too good to be a diamond; and to further
prove his claim, the pawnbroker took a diamond hardness point
tool out of his briefcase. Pressing hard, he scratched three
deep x's on the table of the stone while contending that real
diamonds can't be scratched. Later on, a GIA certificate was
found identifying the stone as a D flawless diamond. Needless
to say, the pawnbroker was sued. transparency.
The
letters through
May
be curious
Diamonds
are noted
Most
diamond professionals
Create diamond imitations
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