OCR Text |
Show Testing Diamonds In India. The Hindoos distinguish diamonds according ac-cording to their color. The white rank first and arc called Brahmins, the yel-low yel-low are known as Kshatris, the dusky as Vttishyas and the flawed stones as Sudras. The diamond dealers are chiefly Marwarees a race who are the chief bankers and money lenders in India. These men are perfectly acquainted with the phosphorescent and electric qualities of the diamond, and they are also aware of the extreme uniformity of its specific gravity. A boiling solution of some salt of zinc, called by the natives "Tutenagum bas-pam," bas-pam," which solution has a specific gravity of 3.5, is used for the weight test. Into this solution the stones submitted sub-mitted for examination are thrown. Those that float are rejected as not being be-ing diamonds, the Marwarees knowing that the diamond has a specific gravity of 3.52. The stones that sink are then examined. exam-ined. The larger pieces are rubbed with a silk handkerchief to excite their electric elec-tric properties and held near light substances, sub-stances, as small pieces of tissue paper. Diamonds thus rubbed readily attract light substances. The phosphorescent qualities are brought out by exposure of the stones to sunlight, and then taking them into a dark room, where the diamonds dia-monds give of a gleaming light. Cut stones which have been tested as above are then examined by boys especially es-pecially trained, who sort them according accord-ing to their color and flaws, and it is very seldom that these youngsters make a mistake, so sharp are their eyes in detecting de-tecting flaws and shades of color. The appraisement according to size is finally made by the seniors. Mining and Engineering. |