Possible Diamond?

[bjgiff]

I was metal detecting an 1800's camp area and hit an old metal key of sort. When I dug it I came across several small stones. At the time I thought they was agates. They were a bit soapy looking. I have a pile of odds and ends of finds that I have stashed in the area. Old horse shoe nails, pull tabs etc... and left the rest of the stones there. I kept one with me. As I was driving I noticed that the stone is clear and no visible flaws can be seen with the naked eye.

Below are some pics. Is it worth having a jeweler check it out or is it an obvious agate? It will put a deep scratch into glass without flawing the stone at all. I did read some agates are hard enough to do that too.

*The stone in the pics is about 7/16" at the longest points and about 1/4" wide.

[mamabear]

never found a diamond, but when I went to the diamond mine in ARK, they explained what to look for. I know they are "oily" feeling, but other than that, I can't remember what they said. look up the state park, maybe they have info on what to look for. also are you in an area where a diamond "tube" is close by? Wyo has some, Ark, & Canada.
Hope it is a diamond, good luck, keep us posted.

[bjgiff]

What do you mean by a "diamond tube"? I do live in WY.

The other thing that had me thinking quite a bit about the stones was that I dug all of them in one hole. I didn't dig any other stones in any of the other holes I dig in the same area. I also looked around and didn't find any agates on the surface.

The stone does feel "oily" but I have felt similar "smooth" agates. I probably just don't know what a diamond would feel like lol

From the reading I've done on the internet, it's unlikely the stone is an agate but could possibly be a quartz crystal of some sort. I'll try and find a jeweler open tomorrow (live in WY and they may not have anyone in the store that can tell me- labor day holiday). I'll keep you posted.

[Mackaydon]

Diamonds are formed at great depth under conditions of tremendous heat and pressure. Molten mantle or crustal material which rises to the surface acts as the transportation medium, bringing the diamonds to the surface via lava tubes.

[strickman]

diamonds are carried in kimberlite tubes . kimberlite tubes were a volcanic vent . when you put it in water does it come out dry ? does it feel oily ? if yes it's possible . what area /have diamonds been found there before ? some diamonds have been found in several states . usually found when prospecting . although not common it does happen . was there any glaciating in the area ? some were carried very far from their source by glaciers. when in doubt have it tested ,diamond testers are not that expensive ,most jewelers -pawn shops etc. have them and would check it for you . kimberlite decomposes fast sometimes the tube carrying the diamonds has long since decomposed . and is never found . most kimberlite does not carry diamonds . very few do. of those many are very small only good for their abrasive qualities ,or very flawed and or cloudy and are only suitable for industrial diamonds mainly used for diamond cutting wheels . if they are a high quality and large enough to cut expect to loose about half of the stone weight during the cutting process ..................best of luck

[Eu_citzen]

Why not do the obvious test, got a piece of quartz?

Try to scratch a piece of quartz. If you can scratch it, yeah well, get it looked at!

More then likely you got a piece of quartz from what I can see.

Other tests you can do:
Sometimes diamond will glow blue under UV (black light)
Touch it with your lips, diamond conducts warmth very well and as such it will feel cold!
(its drawing heat away from your lips, that's why it feels cold)

As for "Diamond tube". I guess that means the typical carrot shaped structure of kimberlite and lamproite. (which can carry diamonds)
WY stands for Wyoming? I think there have been diamond finds there.

[kkglawson]

could be a herkimer diamond

[Eu_citzen]

could be a herkimer diamond

LOL -- Good one!!

For those who don't know "Herkimer Diamond" is quartz.

[Tuberale]

Placer diamonds are known from many Western U.S. states.

Actual diamond crystal should be an 8-sided double pyramid.

While Arkansas diamond are perhaps better known, Oregon known to have diamonds, as well as California: most found during monitor mining operations for gold extraction. Washington, Idaho, Nevada ... you get the idea. The four C's apply: cut, color, clarity, carat. Most western diamonds I've seen or read about not really gemstone material, I believe.

[Eu_citzen]

A diamond does not have to be a octahedron, it can just as well just be a common "cube".
As well as several other shapes.

[allen_idaho]

Just looking at it, I'd say it could be either a diamond or more likely white sapphire. It does not look like a piece of quartz to me.

I would go have it checked out.

[Rasputin]

Without examining it directly, my guess is quartz or perhaps topaz.

[coinshooter]

Could be. I found this one at Crater of Diamonds in
Arkansas.
I'd say if it's bigger than your pinky fingernail, the chances are slim it's a diamond.
If someone in your detecting club has a diamond tester, just have them test it. If it beeps it's real.

[trixie charger]

Topaz uncut.

[Exnihilo]

You should feel a cold if you pose your lips on the stone, if it's a diamond( which is a good thermal conductor). But you can too trace a line with a pencil and put your stone above. If you can see the line on the paper through the stone it's not a diamond.

[Eu_citzen]

But you can too trace a line with a pencil and put your stone above. If you can see the line on the paper through the stone it's not a diamond.

Why would this work? I've never heard of this idea.

[strickman]

that is a common test ,a diamond is double refractive . the pencil line [or more common small print ] will not show .

[strickman]

also ,your breath will not fog a diamond . but will other stones.

[Eu_citzen]

that is a common test ,a diamond is double refractive . the pencil line [or more common small print ] will not show .

Not quite, it is single refractive due to it belonging in the cubic crystal system.

If it is transparent enough it should show the line (or small print) none the less.

[strickman]

get a good diamond ,and try it ! it's a common test nevertheless. it works .