Question:
How do you tell raw diamond from raw glass?
warriorbysword
2008-09-26 04:43:14 UTC
When yahoo had the pictures of raw diamonds the looked strikingly similar to glass deposits I find quite frequently. I thought to myself maybe I am passing up some diamonds instead of glass. I really believe I may have passed on some diamonds from pictures I have seen.
Seven answers:
zim_8
2008-09-26 09:26:57 UTC
It's not easy. Unrefined diamonds can be quite unimpressive looking. A few ways to distinguish diamonds from glass: Refraction - a diamond bends light differently than a piece of glass. Thermal conductivity - diamonds conduct heat well, so they may feel cool to the touch.



I don't think you have much to worry about. Big diamond crystals are very rare. so everything you've thrown away was almost certainly glass.
anonymous
2008-09-26 04:49:06 UTC
I am sorry...I was wrong...here is good information



Tests like 'scratching glass' are very old tests derived from when many imitation diamonds were in fact made from glass...most diamond simulants including CZ, moisanite, etc. can readily cut glass so this test no longer provides any useful information.



Separation of synthetic diamond (man-made diamond) from real diamond is almost impossible with hand-held tools like thermal probe etc. It is recommend to get your stone tested by a reputable gemological lab.



I would never buy a diamond I could not hold and see personally..



# Diamonds have a high "refractive index" (meaning they sharply bend the light that passes through them). Glass and quartz have a lower refractive index, meaning they sparkle less because they bend light less, even when they've been cut nicely (because the refractive index is an inherent physical property [2] which is not altered in any way by a nice cut - unless, technically speaking, the cut induced a permanent strain on the crystalline lattice).



* If the diamond is not mounted, turn it upside down and place it on a piece of newspaper. If you can read the print through the stone or even see distorted black smudges, then it probably isn't a diamond. **Unless the cut is disproportionate, in that case print can be seen through a real diamond.**[3]

* If the stone shows any sign of double refraction, it may be Moissanite (silicon carbide), a gemstone that is so similar to a diamond that even jewelers can have a hard time telling them apart. **look at the facet junctions fron the top side of the stone, the 'star' facets' if you see what looks like double vision then that is the doubling effect.[4]

* If the diamond is mounted, you should not be able to see the bottom of a diamond looking directly from the top.[5]



# Observe the reflections. A real diamond's reflections usually manifest in various shades of gray. If you see rainbow reflections, you're either dealing with a low-quality diamond or a fake.[6]

# Take the bottom view: Under a microscope hold the stone table(top facet) down.If you see an Orange flash only to the facets as you rock the stone it is CZ.[7]

# [8]

# Buy a Diamond Tester. These are readily available and can quickly indicate if is a true diamond or simulant.

# Weigh the stone. cubic zirconia weighs approximately 55% more than diamonds for the same shape and size.[9] Use a carat or gram scale to compare the stone in question to a real diamond.

# Check the setting and mount. A real diamond is not likely to be set in a cheap metal.[10] Stamps inside the setting indicating real gold or platinum (10K, 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 900, 950, PT, Plat) are a good sign, while a "C.Z." stamp will give away that the center stone is not a real diamond.[11]

# Put the stone under a UV light. Many (but not all) diamonds will exhibit blue fluorescence under an ultra violet or black light, so the presence of a medium to strong blue confirms that it is real. The absence of blue, however, does not mean it is fake; it could simply be a better quality diamond.[12] If you see a very slight green, yellow, or gray fluorescence under ultraviolet light, it may be Moissanite.[13]

# Test it with a heat probe. Real stones disperse heat quickly and they won't heat up with the probe. This takes about 30 seconds and is often done free of charge. It also doesn't hurt the stone the way some other ways of testing will.

# Have the diamond x-rayed. Real diamonds do not show up on an x-ray, glass, cubic zirconium and crystals all have slightly radiopaque quailities, diamonds are radiolucent.

# Use a jeweler's loupe to inspect the diamond. Mined diamonds usually have small imperfections or inclusions that can be seen this way. A CZ does not have these imperfections. For that matter, lab-grown diamonds (which should pass all of the other tests) usually don't have imperfections either.
?
2016-11-15 00:16:48 UTC
Pictures Of Raw Diamonds
Van
2015-08-10 11:22:54 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How do you tell raw diamond from raw glass?

When yahoo had the pictures of raw diamonds the looked strikingly similar to glass deposits I find quite frequently. I thought to myself maybe I am passing up some diamonds instead of glass. I really believe I may have passed on some diamonds from pictures I have seen.
?
2016-03-15 11:07:06 UTC
Check the hardness. Scratch them against a tile of glass, Diamond is harder than Quartz so it should have a greater scratch. Diamonds are 10 on the Mohs' scale of hardness and quartz are 7. Also try check the specific gravity. I'm not sure but I think Diamond has a greater specific gravity then quartz..
?
2008-09-27 18:50:19 UTC
The chances of your finding a diamond are nearly zero, unless you happen to be in a volcanic pipe (like Diamond State Park in Arkansas or in South Africa) or in a stream down stream from such a location - mostly west or southwest Africa.

It is far more likely that what you saw/found was quartz which is harder than glass and crystalline like diamond while glass is amorphous
FreeSpiritRunning
2008-09-26 04:52:30 UTC
Hey Warrior,



I used to work in a jewerly store, and you have to look for the 4 C's when looking for a real diamond.



That's color, clarity, carat, & cut.



Also if you had it in your possesion, the diamond cuts thru glass, like a window pane, raw glass will not do that.



Don't buy a diamond over the net, you never know what to expect hon. Trust me, I know. You must be able to see it in person, look for the 4 C's!



Good luck! Your best bet is a reputable jewerly store, not in Wal-Mart either....LOL



Peace out,

FreeSpiritRunning...


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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