The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-03-19
IMITATION JEWELS.
vENEERED DIAMONDS AND GEMS OF
FINE coLoRED GLASS.

Some of the Modern Tricks of the
Trade-Fine Gold Settings Used For
Bogus stones-The Halo Around n
Genuine Pearl.
Although the imitation Of jewels has
been PEactieed for century or more
there are comparatively new develop
ments in the industry every few years,
and the business has of late attained
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 occasionally made to SNUG
gle them into the country. and a seizure
results Again, the imitation is some
times so good that even the customs Off
GERS are puzzled for time. However, it
is always possible for an expert TO tell
the difference IL he has sufficient oppOr-
tunity to apply the proper tests.
limitations Of the diamond, topaz, emer-
aid. amethyst and turquoise are usually
made OF paste or strass, which is nothing
more than particularly fine grade of
glass, to which, IL the stone is colored,
the proper hue has been impaired by the
addition to some mineral substance.
There Is at least one European house,
though, which processes to add carbon to
its diamond composition, thus securing
greater hardness than would otherwise
be possible.
In London still another plan is pursued
TO improve the paste diamond. Genuine
Diamond dust, produced by the cutting
of Jewels, is treated with acid, reduced
to plastic state and then rolled out in
exceedingly thin sheets. This veneer
is cut into the proper shape and cement
ed on the faces Of the strass. Glass dia-
monds can be bought for few cents
when unset, but a veneered diamond is
worth nearly 81. A high degree Of skill
Is required in its preparation.
There are several methods Of distin-
gushing between true diamond and
paste. Hydrohuoric acid will eat glass,
but will not affect the genuine stone. A
file makes no impression on the latter
either. Finally a real diamond contin-
ues to glitter when immersed in water.
Some artificial rubies are of paste; 9th
ers have the same composition as the
genuine stone, which consists OF corun-
dun. The latter variety Of imitation
rlby has the proper hardness and spe-
ci6c gravity, and the color is faultless.
II can be distinguished from the true
ruby only by a powerful magnifying
glass. Singularly enough, the genuine
article is identified by its defects. There
are natural flaws in it not found in the
imitation, although the imitation also
possesses other characteristics minute
bubbles, for instance) which are readily
recognized. On some stones, like the
topaz and emerald, it is not wise to use
a file. They are not hard enough TO re-
sist Il. The magnifying glass is the sur
est means OF aseertaining the character
Of these jewels.
Owing no doubt to the fact that pearls
are often worn in strings instead Of sin
giy or in pairs, like diamonds, the busi-
ness Of manufacturing limitations Of them
Is far more extensive than any kindred
branch Of the industry, except perhaps
fIie making n bogus turquoises and en-
efalds' and rubies. for belt buckles. And
inasmuch rs most Of these imitation
pearls are. exceedingly cheap II is posi-
hle for anybody to buy them. Thus one
may get a card bearing n dozen stickpins
with imitation pearl heads for from ~
20 10 cents. II the stones were genuine
thew wnnld ha worth from 500 TO 5000.