The Brookhaven leader., 1884-03-13
Artificial Diamonds.

! While the attempts of chemists to
manufacture genuine diamonds have
always ended in failure Except, per-
haps, in the production of carbon atoms
too minute to have any commercial
value), the many efforts to initiate the
diamond have resulted in considerable
success, and all previous limitations have
been surpassed through a process late
ly introduced in France. Largo guam
titles of the artificial gems thus made
have recently been imported into this
country, where they are sold in the
trade under the name of ''heliolas,' a
diminutive of the Greek word helloS, the
sun. They are manufactured from the
colorless glass known as strass, which
has long been extensively used as a
basis for artificial Jewels, but which in
this case is subjected to new treat
ment. After the application of great
heat, this substance is plunged into cold
water, and the cons aquent sudden chill
ing has a powerful contracting influ-
ence, so that the grain of the strass be-
comes exceedingly close and fine.
Hence the glass is made very clear and
transparent, and given o remarkably
hard surface, which is. susceptible Of
high polish. Then it is cut and pol
ished like a real d amond. the cutter
using a leaden wheel, with oil and dia-
mond dust; but, while the genuine
stones are always cut singly, a number
of the heliolas are fastened with wax in
row upon a stick and are all cut at
the same time. For the original foil
backing to give brill.ancy to an artificial
gem, a very small bit of foil is substi-
tuted, which is attached to the culet, or
center of the back. In this way the
transparency of the stone is preserved,
while the light is reflected into its
heart. When first mado in Paris,
about two years ago, the he
liolas were produced in compare
lively small numbers, and, being sold
by but few establishments, were intro
duced at first among the better class of
people for whom they were set in sill
Yer combs, t.araS, and other ornaments
for the hair. Their brilliancy and close
resemblance to genuine d Almonds grad
ually caused large demand for them,
and the Far trade in them became eX-
tensive about year ago. Their i'm
portation to this country began some
seven or eight months since, and is
rather singularly, controlled by a Maid
en- Lane firm of dealers in genuine dia-
monds. They are used for variety of
purposes. Besides being admirably
suited for stage jewels, they argely
taking the place of Rhine stones in
back combs, and they a.e set in rolled
plate or low-carat gold for jewelry of
every form. To much greater extent
than the unintiated would imagine,
they are worn by ladies who are the
owners of real diamond'. but who have
temporarily parted with the possession
of their gems. When a speculator IN
Wall street or elsewhere comes to
grief of serious character. it is not
infrequently found advisable to pawn
his wife's diamonds if they represent a
considt rab!e capital. 1t is also consid-
cred advisable that their absence should
not be remarked and as temporary sub
stitutes the heliOlas are found very con-
venient and deceptive. The heliolas are
cut in both brilliant and rose forms,
and are of all sizes, shapes, and colors.
Generally they are pure white. The
unset stones are graded in certain sizes,
to conform to carat sizes of genuine dia-
monds, and are sold, according TO size,
at from $50 to $50 per gross. When set
and worn their resem5Ian e to the real
gems is such that they are likly to be
mistaken for them by all but experts.
The latter, however can not be de-
ce!ved, as the is a peculiar light IN
the fash of the true diamond which
even this imitation does not reproduce.
IN. y Erentng Pos.