how to identify a raw diamond

how to identify a raw diamond

Identifying a raw diamind requires a combination of visual inspection and knowledge of certain characteristics. Here are the some details on how to identify a raw diamond

1.Visual Inspection

A. Shape and Structure

Unusual shape: Raw diamond often have irregular natural shapes. They may appear as rough, Uncut crystals with sharp edges rather than the traditional faceted appearance of polished diamond.

Crystal Structure: Examine the diamond’s surface closely. Look for the characteristic crystal faces and growth patterns that are indicative of diamonds. These faces are often smooth and may have a glassy or metallic luster.

B. Color

Colorless or Off-White: Most raw diamonds are colorless or have a slight off-white or yellowish tint. However, diamonds can come in a variety of colors, including brown, blue green, and pink. If the diamond exhibits intense color, it may be a fancy colored diamond.

C. Transparency: Raw diamonds are typically trnaslucnet to opaque, with varyin degree of transparency. They may appear cloudy or include inclusion that reduce transparency.

inclusions: Inspect the diamond for visible inclusions. while raw diamonds often haave imperfections, the presence of foreign materials like minetral or other crystals is not characteristic of diamonds.

D. Surface Features

Natural Roughness: Raw diamonds may have surace features like pits, grooves, or small prostrusions. These are remnants of their natural formation process.

Indentations: Observe the diamonds may have surface for any small, natura cavities or crevices that can occur during its growth.

2. Specific Test

A. Hardness

Scratach Test: Diamonds are the hardest known natural material. You can perform a scratch test using another diamond or a substance like corundum. A true diamond should scratch the test material, while other materials will not scratch a diamond.

B. Density

Water Test: Diamonds have a high density You can perform a water test by placing the diamond in a glass of water. A real diamond will sink, while most limitations will float due to their lower density.

C. Refraction

Sparkle and Brilliance : Diamonds have exceptional sparkle and brilliance due to their high refractive index. shine a light through the diamond, and it should produce a noticeable play of light and colorful flashes.

Double Refraction Test: Some diamonds may exhibit double refraction, meaning that when you view and object through the diamond, you may see a doubling or distortion of the object. This effect is not present in most limitations.

3. Certification

To obtain the most accurate identification,consider having the raw diamond professionally evaluataed and certified by a gemological laboratory. Certificates from reputable organization like the gemological institute of america or the international gemological institure provide detailed information about a diamond characteristics, including its authenticity, color, clarity, carat weight, and more.

What do raw diamonds look like when found

Raw diamond when found in nature, have distinctive characteristics that set them apart from their polished faceted counterparts. Here’s a detailed description of what raw diamonds look like when found.

1. Shape and Structure

Natural Formation: Raw diamonds are typically found in their natural, Uncut state. They often have irregular, rough shapes with sharp edges. These shapes vary widely, including Octahedral, cubic dodecahedral, and more.

Crystal Faces: Raw diamonds exhibit the natural crystal faces formed during their growth. These faces are often smooth and may have glassy or metallic luster. They can reflect light, but They lack the brilliant, Faceted surfaces seen in cut diamonds.

Rough Texture: The surface of a raw diamond is rough to the touch due to its uncut, natural state.It lacks the smooth, polished finish of cut diamonds.

Color and Transparency

Color variation: Raw diamonds can be colorless, but often have a slightl- off white or yellowish tint. However, they can also come in various natural colors, including brown, blue,green, and pink. The intensity of color in a raw diamond can vary.

Translucency to Opaqueness: Most raw diamonds are translucent to opaque. They do not possess the transparency and clarity of cut diamonds. Instead. they may appear cloudy or contain inclusion that reduce their transparency.

3. Surface Features

Surface Imperfections: Raw diamonds can exhibit surface imperfections, including pits,grooves, and small protrusions, These features are remnants of the diamonds natural formation process deep with in the earth.

Indentations: Some raw diamonds may have small natural cavities or creviceson their surface. These can be a result of the conditions in which the diamond formed.

Lack of Facets: Unlike cut and polished diamonds, raw diamonds do not have the symmetrical facets that create the iconic sparkle and brilliance associated with diamonds.

When people discover raw diamonds in nature, they often require further examination by gemologists and diamond experts to assess their quality, potential value, and suitability for cutting and polishing.

Types of rough diamonds

Rough diamonds come in various types, each with unique characteristics based on factors like shape, color, and crystal structure. Here are some common type of rough diamonds.

1. Octahedral Diamond
2. Cubic Diamond
3. Macles
4. Dodecahedral Diamonds
5. Irregular shapes
6. Colored Diamond

1. Octahedral Diamonds:

Shape: Octahedral diamonds have an eight side shape, resembling two four sided pyramind joined at their bases. They are one of the most common natural diamond shapes.

Crystal Structure: These diamonds have a symmetrical crystal structure with sharp edges and well-formed faces.

Usage: Octahedral diamonds are often favored for their potential to yield large, high-quality polished diamonds when cut.

2. Cubic Diamonds:

Shape: Cubic diamonds, also known as cubes, have a cubic or cube like shape with six equal sides.

Crystal Structure: They exhibit a cubic crystal structure, making them relatively easy to cut into square or recutangular polished diamonds.

Usage: Cubic diamonds are valued for their ability to produce square or rectangular-cut diamonds.

3. Macles:

Shape: Macles have a unique triangular, kite or diamond shape with a cleft down the center, resulting in two identical halves.

Crystal Structure: Macles often have a twinned crystal structure where two diamond crystals grow together.

Usage: They are less common in jewelry but can be cut into special shapes, something yielding two smaller diamonds from a single macle.

4. Dodecahedral Diamonds:

Shape: Dodecahedral diamonds have twelve faces, resembling a twelve-sided polyhedron.

Crystal Structure: They exhibit a dodecahedral crystal structure, which can pose challenges for cutting.

Usage: Dodecahedral diamonds are less commonly used in jewelry due to their challenging shapes.

5. Irregular Shapes:

Shapes: Many rough diamonds have irregular non standard shapes. These can include elongated, Flattened, or irregular faceted crystal.

Crystal Structure: Irregular shaped rough diamonds can vary widely in crystal structure, often making them less suitable for traitional cutting.

Usage: While irregularly shaped diamonds may yield smaller unique or fancy shaped polished stones, they are often used for industrial purpose such as cutting tools.

6. Colored Diamonds:

Color: Some rough diamonds are prized for their natural color, including pink, blue, green, and yellow diamonds. These diamonds are referred to as fancy colored diamonds.

Usage: Colored rough diamonds are highly sought after for their rarity and are often cut into fancy-shaped, colored gamestones.

How to identify a raw diamond at home

Identifying a raw diamond at home can be challenged, as it requires specialized knowledge and equipment typically used by professional gemologist. If you suspect you have a raw diamond and want to make a preliminary assessment.

You can Follow these basic steps:

1. Visual Inspection:

shape: Examine the shape of the stone. Raw diamonds often have irregular, natural shapes with sharp edges and facets. They do not have the well- defined facets and polished appearance of cut diamonds.

Transparency: Check the stone’s transparency. Raw diamonds are usually translucent to opaque and may appear cloudy or contain inclusions.

Color: Observe the color. Raw diamonds are often colorless or have a faint yellowish or Off-white tint. How ever they can also come in various natural colors, including brown, blue green, and pink.

2. Hardness Test:

Diamonds are the hardest known natural material. You can perform a simple scratch test using a piece of corundum, which is the second hardest mineral after diamond. If the stone stratch the corudum, it may be a diamond.

3. Refraction Test:

Shine a light through the stone. Diamond have exceptional spakle and brilliance due to their refractive inde. You should see a noticeable play of light and colorfu flashes with the stone.

4. Specific Gravity Test:

Diamond have a high density. You can perform a specific gravity test by weighing the stone in air and then in water. A diamond will weigh more in air than in wate, While most limitations will have the same weight in both.

5. Fog Test:

Breathe on the stone to create moisture. A real diamond should disperse the moisture quickly due to its heat-conducting properties. Fake stones may retain the moisture for longer.

Raw diamond light test

The Raw diamond light test is a preliminary method for identification or rough diamond

1. Prepare the Diamond: Place the suspected raw diamond on a white background to enhance visibility.
2. Use a strong Light source: Employ a focused light source, such as a flashlight or jeweler’s loupe with a light.
3. Observe Light Interaction: Shine the light directly onto the diamond’s surface.
4. Look for Sparkle: A genuine raw diamond will typically exhibit a bright and pronounced ” sparkle” or “fire” due to its high refractive index.
5. Notice Colorful Flashes: This fire appears as colorful flashes of light, including red, blue, greeen,and yellow, and becomes more pronounced when you move the diamondor light source.
6. Compare with other stones: If available, compare the raw diamond light performance with other gemstones. Diamonds usually exhibit a more intense and colorful fire.
7. Limitaitons: While this test is informative, its is not conclusive. some limitations can also show fire, so professional gemological assessment is recommended for a definitive identification.
8. Safety Note: Handle the suspected diamond with car, as even raw diamonds can be valuable.
9. Additional Testing: Complement the light test with other identification methods for a more accurate assessment.
10. Consult an Expert: For a definitive identification of a raw diamond’s authenticity and quality, seek the expertise of a certified gemologist.