Queen of gems, the diamond still continues to fascinate. In its raw state, it symbolizes purity in all its essence. Expensive and highly coveted, the diamond faces imitations. To recognize a raw diamond, here are some avenues to explore.
Real raw diamond or imitation stone?
A raw diamond in its natural state, that is to say not cut and cut, is often confused with cubic zirconia (CZ). It is a mineral from the group of silicates (nesosilicates) found in particular in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It is considered a gemstone in jewelry. The raw diamonds are also confused with a moissanite, namely silicon carbide. This artificial mineral has a hardness equal to that of carbonatite (9 on the Mohs scale). Other stones such as pyrite, composed of iron sulfide or white quartz (rock crystal) can be related to raw diamonds. To differentiate a real diamond from an imitation stone, it is better to have an eye.
Recognize a raw diamond thanks to its crystalline form
Even if it is not the best solution to recognize a raw diamond, it can help. Indeed, the crystalline shape of the diamond speaks for itself. There are mainly 4 crystalline forms for the diamond:
- Octahedron with eight triangular faces with twelve edges and six vertices
- Six-sided square cube with twelve edges and eight vertices
- Dodecahedron with twelve pentagonal faces with thirty edges and twenty vertices
Recognize a raw diamond using technical tools
The recognition of a precious stone like a diamond is not within everyone’s reach. Between a real raw diamond and a fake stone that looks like two drops of water, confusion is possible. To recognize a diamond, you need professional equipment.
The diamond and moissanite tester
It is an ultra-precise gemological instrument. Whose role is to clearly distinguish a raw diamond from an artificial stone such as moissanite. This tool is notably equipped with an LCD screen. Before using the device, the stones must be clean. Indeed, fat is an insulator that can distort the final result. There are three types of instruments in this category of highly portable devices. Diamond tester, moissanite tester, and combination diamond/moissanite tester.
The optical time-domain reflectometer
With the optical time-domain reflectometer. One can measure the refractive index of the stone. This is the ratio made between the speed of light in a vacuum and in the propagation medium. Note that the refractive index of diamond varies between 2.407 and 2.451. It all depends on the wavelength of the light. The refractive index of diamond is the highest among those of all transparent natural stones.
Recognizing a raw diamond: some tips
Tip 1: It is first a question of leaving the stone to be tested at room temperature for about ten minutes. Then fog the stone. If the mist formed on the stone dissipates in less than 5 seconds from its surface, it is a real diamond in the raw.
Tip 2: Try reading a newspaper or the page of a book through the test stone. If you can correctly distinguish characters on these pages. The stone is obviously not a real diamond.
The best solution to recognize a raw diamond is to call on a conscientious professional near you (jeweler, diamond dealer, etc.).
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