Before you can sell your diamonds, it actually has to undergo a series of tests to confirm their authenticity. Expert appraiser actually have special tools that aids them on their inspection. They use heat probe, microscope, UV, X-Ray and etc…
As treasure hunters, we normally find strange and precious looking stones or jewelries and wonder if they are diamonds or not. It would really be a hassle for us running to an expert appraiser just for us to know.
In order to avoid such hassle, there are actually some basic methods that you can perform to test a diamond without the need of consulting the professionals.
Method 1: The Fog Method
This method is called “The Fog Method” because you will be fogging the suspected diamond object with your own mouth. The process is similar by blowing a warm breath of air coming from your mouth to a glass or mirror. When you perform this to the suspected diamond object and the fog remained for a couple of seconds then it is not a diamond. A real diamond won’t fog up so easily. If it does, it will clear right away in just a matter of seconds.
A better way to utilize this method is that you need a real diamond which you can use to compare from the object that is being tested. What you have to do is to hold them both then at the same time, fog them up and notice their differences. If the tested object remained fogged while the real diamond turned clean then it means that the object being tested is not a diamond. Try to blow more warm breath repeatedly on both objects, you will notice that the real diamond will remain clean and clear while the other object becomes more foggy.
Method 2: Glass of Water
On this second method, you need to prepare a glass of water or any water container to test if the object will either sink or float. You have to know that diamonds have high density which means that they will sink. Thus, if the object being tested floated to the top or in the middle then it means that it is not a diamond.
However, there are some objects that also have properties that allows them to sink down the water. So I only recommend this method as a secondary testing procedure.
Method 3: Heat Temperature
This is my favorite testing method which involve heat. What you need is a candle and a glass of cold water. Take note, the colder the water the better.
Light up the candle then use a tong or similar tool to hold the object and then heat it up for about 30 seconds. Then, immediately drop the object right into the glass of cold water. If the object is not a diamond, the object will suffer minor breakage. But if it’s a real diamond, nothing happens to it.
Method 4: Scratch the Object
This method is not really recommended unless you do not care about the object being tested if it gets damaged. You will actually going to scratch the object. The best way to do it is to use a sandpaper for scratching the surface. If it happens that the surface got scratched then the object is not a diamond. A real diamond won’t actually get scratched.
View Comments (9)
A pleasant day Sir Elmo.
We just found a small box of precious gems, as what we suspected it was diamonds, because we tested it on a mirror. This gems sticks itself on mirrors sir, does this gems positive diamonds Sir?
Diamonds sticks itself into a mirror? it would best Sir if we hear an opinion from an expert like you are Sir have pleasant day to you Sir and God bless you Sir and so to us as well.
Thank you.
I guess that in your case, I suggest consulting a professional diamond appraiser. It's because they have the right tools in grading those gems which is the basis of pricing them.
Good evening Sir Elmo, I just want to of know how to test AU, Pt, and Pd. And what is the difference between Pt and Pd Sir?
Please give me a good idea Sir. Thank you and more power.
Platinum (Pt) and Palladium (Pd) both belong into a group of metals which is the reason why they have closely similar characteristics. However, Palladium is lighter than the platinum.
Hello, we dug a pit for a sewerage. At about 6ft, we found charcoals of about 4 sacks of rice then feathers. Underneath is screened white pebbles laid as matting. Can't continue to dig coz its hot in there and cant withstand eye irritating substance even for a minute.
It is an interesting project. All those objects that you uncovered are signs that you are digging on the correct spot. Anyway, you should flash the irritating substance with water.