Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/43

 but let the composition be drawn from its glittering cell, and it will fade into insignificance before the real gem, which, with its vivid flash, will so forcibly appeal to the eye, that even an inexperienced observer must feel ashamed of having been for an instant deceived,

topazes, and rock crystal, have been exposed for sale as diamonds, and glass has also been made into peculiar forms, to resemble the rough gem. These deceptions have often been practised abroad, and sometimes with success.

accustomed to inspect diamonds, judge of them, when close set, from the perfection of the facets and the sharpness of the work. Yet, though an experienced judge may, in this case, pronounce with tolerable certainty on the nature of any specimen shewn him, I consider it best to withhold an opinion