New-York tribune., 1901-06-23

MODERN TRICKS OF THE TRADE-FINE SETTINGS
FOR BOGUS STONES
Although the imitation of Jewels has been
practlsed Tor century more there are COM
paratlvely new developments in the industry
every few years, and the business has of late at
tanned enormous proportions. The majority OF
THESE stones are made abroad and hence they
are imported. But while they are exceedingly
cheap and the duty is low, the attempt is occa-
sionaily made TO smuggle them into the coun-
try and a seizure results. Again. the imitation
is sometimes good that even the customs
officers are puzzled for a time. However it is
always possible for an expert to tell the differ
ence. if he has sufficient opportunity to apply
the proper tests.
limitations of the diamond topaz. emerald.
amethyst and turquoise are usually made of
paste or strass, which is nothing more than a
particularly fine grade of glass. TO which. if the
stone is colored, the proper hue has been inn
parted 10y the addition Of some mineral sub
stance There is at least European house.
though, which processes to add carbon to its dia-
mGDd composition thus securing greater hard
ness Than would otherwise be possible
In London still another plan is pursued TO inn
prove the paste diamond. Genuine diamond
dust, produced by the cutting of jewels. is
treated with acid reduced a plastic state and
then rolled out i'm exceedingly thin sheets. This
ed on the faces of the strass. Glass diamonds
can be bought for a few cents when unset but
a veneered diamond is worth nearly dollar. A
high degree of skill is required in its prepara-
tion.
There are several methods of distinguishing
between true diamond and paste Hydro
iuOric acid Will eat glass but Will not affect the
genuine stone. a file makes impression on
the latter either. Finally, real diamond con-
erl;r- in
ARTIFICIAL RUBIEs
Some artificial rubies of paste; others have
The same composition the genuine stone. which
consists Of corundum. The latter variety OF imi-
tation ruby has the proper hardness and specific
gravity. and the color is faultless. 1t can be
distinguished from the tru. ruby only by pow
erful magnifying glass. singularly enough, the
genuine article is Identified 10y its defects There
are natural flaws in il not found in the imita-
ton, although the imitation also possesses other
characteristics C-nnute bubbles. for instance)
which readily recognized. ON sorne stones,
like the topaz and emerald. il is wise 20 use
a nle. They are not hard enough resist it.
The magrifying glass is the surest Of
ce:-aining the character OF these jewels.
owing, no doubt. the fact that pearls are
often worn in strings instead OF sngly in
pairs like diamonds. the business Of manufact-
uring limitations OF them is far extensive
than any kindred branch Of the industry. ex-
cept. perhaps, the making OF bogus turquoises
and eneral6s and rubies for belt buckles. And
inasmuch as most Of these imitation pearls are
exceedingly cheap, il is possible for anybody TO
buy them. Thus may get = card bearing
dozen stickgins with imitation pearl heads for
from 10 TO - cents If the stones were genuine
they would each be worth from Slo0 TO 500.
There several kinds of imitation pearls
one is a glass bead filled with composition. The
glass is often not over a siXtyfouTth Of AN inch
thick There are several different compositions
used. one looks very much like paraiine. \
bead filled with that material would crush
easily. IN other globular pearls, pierced for
striuging a harder substance is employed. There
is an imported imitation pearl whose shell IS
said to b- made of fish skin and whose filling
is "A compound in which there is ground mother
of-pearl the lusfrous lining of the oyster shell
wherein The real pearl is produced. This sort OF
irgv,.l costs dollar or two and string of sixty
,ouh sell for $50. Real pearls of the same
sze and beauty would bring fully a hundred
times that price.
THE HALO AROUND PEARL
Although the manufacture OF imitation pearls
uas long confined t. Europe, il is now con
ducfed in this country also. a New-fork house.