RS Mizar Diamond Detective: Evaluating Diamond Rough Testing

Question
QUESTION: Is a RS Mizar Diamond Detective diamond tester a suitable instrument for identifying natural diamond rough, particularly those which are white translucent and those having colored impurities?

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Timi,

These type of diamond testers were designed to test cut and polished diamonds set in a mounting. However it could be used to test natural diamond rough both translucent and with other impurities. The results would be suspect since the instrument is not reliable for this purpose. You would have to be very adept at using this tool in diamond testing for you to be comfortable using it. I would not recommend using it in the field. It is not durable and very sensative to temperature, wind, dust, and abrasion. There are better ways to test for diamond. Good luck.

Peter


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mr. Lumetta,

Thank you for your answer to my earlier question. To your knowledge, what would be a suitable field instrument for detecting diamond rough or other better methods?

Best wishes,

Timi

Answer
Hi Timi,

The Presidium PGT Diamond tester is a versatile tester but first you should get expeience in the field. Try to work with somone who has years of hands on experience and can tell by sight if a crystal is a diamond or not. It also depends on if you are searching for alluvial or hard rock sources. Machines are good but experience is better. Even a hardness pencil would help. I have a little experience in the field and a lot in the lab and I realize that 90% of the i.d. is from my experiences. All this really depends on what you are trying to do and where it is you are doing it. Good luck.

Peter