Uncut rough diamonds resemble water worn quartz pebbles but can be distinguished based on location and characteristics like crystal form specific gravity hardness and other unique features.
What does a real uncut diamond look like.
When looking down on the crystals from the top with the point of the crystal aimed at your eye quartz will have six sides and a diamond will have four sides.
If your shiny rock has edges it is unlikely to be a diamond.
The easiest test is the scratch test.
If you see six sides than you probably found quartz.
Diamonds are rounded not edged.
If a supposed rough diamond can be scratched by anything other than another diamond then it is fake.
Put the diamond under the loupe or microscope and look for rounded edges that have tiny indented triangles.
Cubic diamonds on the other hand will have parallelograms or rotated squares.
Diamonds are cubic isometric form.
Diamonds and their simulants can share some optical and physical properties.
Rough diamonds are translucent not transparent.
In the chart below you ll find common diamond look alike stones and real diamonds arranged by specific.
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However two properties specific gravity and birefringence hold the key to distinguishing diamonds.
Diamonds in place have mostly been found in kimberlite pipes in continental cratons.
That means you can look through it and it will not be as clear as glass.
Browse 1 596 rough diamonds stock photos and images available or search for diamond mine or gold to find more great stock photos and pictures.
A real raw diamond should also appear like it has a coat of vaseline over it.
Contrary to advertised diamonds natural diamonds have a rounded shape more or less like a jelly bean.
The problem is that it s not always easy to separate a rough diamond from things like quartz or even colored glass without knowing what to look for.