How do i tell if I have found a diamond?

[SirFsup]

I am a gold prospector and while I was dredging a river in Cali., I have come across a few stones which I feel may be diamonds. How can i tell if they are (without destroying them)?

The stones are transparent/nearly transparent, about the size of a large pea, with rough edges. I have seen pics of a "perfect diamond crystal", and these are close without the pointed edges. I have a bunch of quartz pieces along with them and the stones in question are much clearer than the quartz.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thx

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Photos?? We love photos around here.

 

[Nicrez]

you may want to take them to a gemologist to have them tested. Getting an RI (Refractive Index) on them will likely rule out a few possibilities like glass, plastic, etc. But I suggest a gemologist, because even a quick hardness test can prove it.

 

[mercoledi]

There are hand held diamond testers. They''re about $100 (less on ebay) but I don''t know if they only work on cut stones. If it''s testing density, it should. If it''s the RI, I don''t know if it works the same on rough v. cut stones. It might be worth calling a diamond tester company or your local gemologist to find out. If you do this often and it''ll work it might be worth the investment.

This page is very informative.

(They also have them at the jewelry counter in Nordstrom, but I don''t know if they''d test your rough, I know I wouldn''t have the nerve to ask!)

Best of luck, and please post pictures if you have them!

 

[CaptAubrey]

California has produced a number of diamonds over the years--though certainly nothing in commerical quanitites--so it''s definitely possible you''ve got a few. However, there are other minerals that can mimic diamond rough in appearance, such as colorless spinel (which is a cubic mineral like diamond and which occurs in similar crystal habits).

The simplest and safest method is to pick up a thermal diamond tester. That way you can test them yourself and not have worry about giving away the secret. If you get a "diamond" result, then start looking for a mineral dealer (who will want to definitively ID them before buying anything).

I dislike hardness tests, even on rough, because they''re trickier than people think, destructive, and really the last resort since there are plenty of other nondestructive means of identification.

Note that if these are diamonds, they will feel noticeably heavy for their size, compared to the quartz. Rock crystal quartz can occur in completely clean, clear crystals, so that''s not really a factor IMO.

 

[junior35]

Date: 7/11/2007 1:50:08 PM
Author:SirFsup
I am a gold prospector and while I was dredging a river in Cali., I have come across a few stones which I feel may be diamonds. How can i tell if they are (without destroying them)?

The stones are transparent/nearly transparent, about the size of a large pea, with rough edges. I have seen pics of a ''perfect diamond crystal'', and these are close without the pointed edges. I have a bunch of quartz pieces along with them and the stones in question are much clearer than the quartz.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thx

Post some large pics. I''ll be able to tell you.

 

[SirFsup]

Can I just do a specific gravity test on the stone? I researched that the SG for quartz is 2.64 and a diamond is 3.52.
I have also contacted a gemologist and he said to test the stone for ID purposes will be $65. I''m not sure I want to blow that much cash on a long shot.

 

[CaptAubrey]

You can, assuming you have a digital balance and know what you''re doing. But it won''t necessarily rule out all other possibilities, like coloress topaz or spinel, which have similar SGs.

 

[SirFsup]

Mercoledi.... Thank you for the page about IDing diamonds. I was looking at the pictures and my stone closely resembles pic #10. I may try the scratch test on the stone (as long as the wife doesn''t find out I''ll use her ring for it).

Thanks again

 

[CaptAubrey]

DON''T use your wife''s diamond unless you''re prepared to replace it. If you actually do have a diamond, you may end up damaging her stone. Hardness tests should NEVER be conducted with faceted stones because of the potential for damage.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/11/2007 5:15:18 PM
Author: CaptAubrey
DON''T use your wife''s diamond unless you''re prepared to replace it. If you actually do have a diamond, you may end up damaging her stone. Hardness tests should NEVER be conducted with faceted stones because of the potential for damage.

Please listen to Capt!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/11/2007 5:17:38 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 7/11/2007 5:15:18 PM
Author: CaptAubrey
DON'T use your wife's diamond unless you're prepared to replace it. If you actually do have a diamond, you may end up damaging her stone. Hardness tests should NEVER be conducted with faceted stones because of the potential for damage.

Please listen to Capt!!!

Thritto DON'T use the wife's stone, you could find yourself in very hot water and kill her diamond!!!

 

[diagem]

Date: 7/11/2007 5:15:18 PM
Author: CaptAubrey
DON''T use your wife''s diamond unless you''re prepared to replace it. If you actually do have a diamond, you may end up damaging her stone. Hardness tests should NEVER be conducted with faceted stones because of the potential for damage.

Take some "real" good advice!!!!
Listen to the Captain....

 

[SirFsup]

LMAO! Looks like I''ve been told! Ok... won''t use the wifes old ring (even though we do have them insured).

Guess I''ll have to hit up the local college chemistry lab and do the SG test.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/11/2007 5:55:52 PM
Author: SirFsup
LMAO! Looks like I''ve been told! Ok... won''t use the wifes old ring (even though we do have them insured).

Guess I''ll have to hit up the local college chemistry lab and do the SG test.

Without a doubt!

 

[kcoursolle]

I know what you can do...you can ship them to ME...hehe

 

[CaptAubrey]

If a $65 exam is too rich for you, there''s a low-tech method you can try, called the grease table.

Get a hold of some thick petroleum-based grease, and spread a thick layer over a board. Put the stones in a bucket of water. Set the board at angle and pour the water over it. As the water and stones flow over the grease, any diamonds among them should stick to the grease while anything else will wash over the board to the ground (you may want to set another bucket under the board).

It''s not definitive, but it was good enough for the early diamond miners.