How to Identify a Real Raw Diamond: Comprehensive Guide
Have you stumbled upon a raw white diamond stone? Wondering if it's genuine? This guide provides a detailed step-by-step approach to help you determine if your rock contains a diamond and how to go about identifying it. Whether you found it in a diamond mining area or anywhere else, discovering a possible diamond requires a systematic examination.
Where Did You Find It?
Diamonds are rare but not as uncommon as one might think. However, they are usually found in well-known sources. If you found your stone in Arkansas, there is a diamond mining area open to the public where diamonds are found almost daily. If your stone did not originate from a diamond-bearing rock strata, it is unlikely to be a diamond. A simple non-destructive test to verify if mud will stick to the stone can also help, as diamond surfaces do not attract mud.
Step-by-Step Process to Identify a Diamond
Identifying a rock containing a diamond involves several visual and advanced testing methods. Follow this guide to determine if your stone is indeed a diamond:
Visual Inspection
Crystal Shape: Diamonds often form in an octahedral or dodecahedron shape. Look for sharp, geometric edges. Transparency and Luster: Diamonds are highly transparent with an exceptional luster. They appear bright and sparkling. Surface Appearance: The surface should be smooth, sometimes with a greasy or oily feel. Other minerals may feel dry.Hardness Test
Scratch Test: Use a known hard material like quartz (Mohs scale 7) to test the diamond. Quartz will not scratch a diamond, but the diamond can scratch most other materials.Density Test
Heft Test: Diamonds are denser, weighing about 3.5 g/cm3. Weigh your stone against similar-sized rocks to notice a difference in weight.Light Test
Refractivity: Shine a strong light through the crystal. A diamond will scatter light in all directions, creating a brilliant sparkle. Reading Test: Use the crystal to read text on a piece of paper. Real diamonds will render the text unreadable due to their high refractive index.UV Light Test
Fluorescence: Diamonds often fluoresce under UV light, usually glowing blue or yellow. Illuminate the crystal with UV light to see if it reacts.Conductivity Test
Thermal Conductivity: Use a specialized tool like a diamond tester to measure this property. The diamond will dissipate heat quickly. Electrical Conductivity: Unlike some minerals, diamonds do not conduct electricity.Professional Analysis
The most definitive method is to consult a professional gemologist or geologist. They can perform advanced tests such as X-ray diffraction or use specialized tools to confirm the presence of a diamond.
Common Rocks That Might Contain Diamonds
Kimberlite: This volcanic rock, which can bring diamonds from deep within the Earth's mantle to the surface, is the most common type of rock where diamonds are found. Lamproite: Another volcanic rock that can contain diamonds, similar to kimberlite but less common.By following these steps, you can confidently determine if the raw diamond stone you have is genuine. Whether you found it in an approved mining area or elsewhere, proper identification is crucial.