Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-09-06
TESTS OF DIAMONDS.
Simple but Scientific Ways of Judging
Gems.

Gems.
Anyone can tell genuine diamond OF
precious stone even from very clever
imitation. There are a few household
tests which are practically infaliiblc.
The diamond expert, after long years of
experience with gems, can detect an imi-
tation, as a rule, at q glance. The lay
man in such matters, with few simple
tests. takes more time to solve such
problems. but his judgment in the end
is scarcely less accurate.
An imitation diamond is never so bril-
liant as genuine stone. If your eye is
not experienced enough to detect the diff
ference very simple test is to place the
stone under water. The imitation stone
is practically extinguished, while Il gcnu-
me diamond sparkles even under water,
and is distinctly visible. When possible
place genuine stone beside the possible
imitation under water and the contrast
Will be apparent to the least experienced
eyes.
The glass-cutting test is, of course.
more or less familiar. 1t is probably the
most common. False diamonds are uSu-
ally cut more regularly than the genuine
stones. In cutting a diamond the ma
terlal IS saved as far as possible. In any
imitation the material is itself worthless,
and no attention is made to suit the size
or angle OF the facets TO the form of the
stone 1t can be put down as a safe ruic
that when stone is cut with great even
ness and regularity il is, to say the legst
very suspicious sign.
Another very simple and effective test
is to place drop OF water on the stone
and carefully observe the result The
stone should FIRST be carefully cleaned
On an imitation diamond the drop, how
ever small, will deliquesce. The drop
Will, however, retain its original shape on
true stone. To make the test quite
sure use a magnifying glass when watch
ing the action Of the drop
Still another test Of this nature is 10
pass the stone over a piece of aluminium
Both the metal and the stone should be
absolutely free from any trace of grease
The metal will give eff some of it's color
to an imitation stone, while a genuine
diamond VIII remain perfectly clear ard
unaffected. Among jewelers. the flna.
test Is to apply "A drop of huorhydrc
acid to the stone under suspicion. The
acid will eat into any false diamond and
frost it, while the genuine stones will nos
be damaged in the slightest degree.
Perhaps the simplest method or all,
however, IL to examine an ink spot on
sheet Of white paper through a diamond.
by holding the upper surface against the
eye. If the stone be counterfeit the
black spot will appear greatly multiplied
or at least doubled. The outline will. more
over appear blurred and indistinet. by
using a maGnifying glass the test can
readily he made absolute.
The optical test is the best in examiu-
ing rubies and emersids 1t is COM
monty supposed that Such stones can
be best tested by rubbing them with g
file. that the genuine stones resist the
steel. while tho limitations only will suf-
fer: ont the test is not exhaustive. The
best plan is to examine them closely With
a microscope Of about 100 diameters.
The genuine stones have humber Of
minute flaws, whereas the limitations are
likely to be much more nearly perfec. IN
texture. London Express.