Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-03
PAINTED DIAMONDS.
An Alcohol Bath Dispels the Glitter and
the Owner Weeps.


the Owner Weeps.
"What do you estimate to be the value
of this solitaire ?' asked stylishly CARRIED
gentleman as he leaned over the diamond
counter in Philadelphia jewelry estab
lishment one day last week. From the
third finger of his left hand he had drawn
narrow golden circlet set with large
jewel of lustrous brilliancy. AS he held
it to the light it scintillated dazzling blue
rays, and was to all appearances gem of
the first water.
"That is a perfect beauty" exclaimed
the expert behind the counter after care
fully scrutinizing it through critical mag
nifyiDg glass. There's no paste there
not bill" with smile. "But you want
to know its exact value? Well, just wait
moment" and he disappeared with the
ring.
In few minutes the diamond man re-
turned. His eye had lost its sparkle of
professional delight, and he wore a weary
air as he laid the ring down on the coun-
ter with the remark: ats worth S50eor
$50, should judge-nothing more"
PAID 1000 FOR FRAUD.
The rings proprietor gave great gasp,
and his eyes shot fire. FIFTY or sixty
dollars p he cried. "Why, my dear sir,
that ring was purchased but month ago,
and it cost in the neighborhood of 81, 200.
Do you take me for fool? You yourself
said it was not paste"
No" replied the jeweler, Z" it is not
paste; but owe you an apology for dis
covering that it is as miserable specimen
of diamond as l ever hope to see Look
at it noww And he held it to the light
to show that all its luster and sparkle had
vanished. It's delicate blush tinge had
faded into dusty, rusty yellow The
glittering diamond had become stone of
very meager graces.
at has had an alcohol bath since you
last saw it," explained the expert. ain
these days of artifce and invention that is
the only positive test of diamonds
worth. / gave your gem good shaking
up in bottle, first of all, and then fol-
lowed with a diligent rubbing down.
Within three minutes | had discovered
that the glitter was only skin Deep"
At this point the fashionable attired
customer snatched the maligned jewel with
a look of desperation and stalked hastily
Out vi the sup.
A SIMPLE TASK TO PAINT DIAMONDS.
1.-THE man who sold that ring was a
clever trickster, and his patron was pref
tily duped," said the jeweler, as he related
the story to reporter afterward. "Yet
the task of Illuminating dull diamonds is
so simple that it is wonder that these
frauds don't multiply. A fine cameps hair
brush, delicate sort of paint, made of the
shavings of an indelible pencil dissolved in
water, do the business. When the gem has
dried off its improvement is marvellous,
and may deceive the very elect. 1t will
be long time before the paint wears
away, and nothing less than contact with
alcohol will bring to light the stones true
shabbiness.
DO NOT DOCTOR PASTE GEMS.
"The gentlemen who make their living
by painting diamonds never attempt to
illuminate paste. For one reason the paint
has less striking effect if so used, and for
another detection is apt to follow more
speedily than in the case Of real gems. A
yellowish diamond of mean quality, how
ever will brighten up beautifully under
an experts brush. These diamond brushers
have little dealing with reputable jewell
ers. They are afraid of them, as well they
may be.
at has become favorite trick among
this class of crooks to palm off their spuri-
GUS goods on pawnbrokers, and at times
they have succeeded in inveigling from an
unwary money lender an amount equal to
three or four times the actual value Of the
diamond that they put in pawn. But gen.
orally they run great risk Of capture.
There is no class of men extant more
shrewd than these pawnbrokers. They
are fast learning the alcohol test, and the
knave who tries to dispose of painted
yellow diamond for big figure will
scarcely escape with impunity."