Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/64

 SECT. IV.

Physical and Chemical Characters of the Diamond.

is the object of the present chapter to point out to the reader such of the peculiar characteristics of the Diamond as may enable him to distinguish it from any other substance, especially in its rough state, and consequently to detect any imposition which may be attempted to be practised upon him.

Diamonds occur under the most beautiful and regular geometric forms, their lustre and color frequently resemble Gum Arabic; they often exhibit a polished appearance, more particularly the brown stones, others are dull, indented, rough, shewing their Jamine, and some are round. If, as might