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 Post subject: Breath Test Questions
PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 10:12 pm 
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I'm seeing my fog evaporate slowly at first, then immediately the 2nd and 3rd times I breathe on it.
So i'm wondering if it's the first breath evaporation that matters??
I also notice a difference when I clean the stone off with a soft cloth before doing the breath test, it evaporates almost immediately when it's clean, it's when I pick it up after a sitting a while that it takes a few seconds the evaporate...

I read online alot that the breath test is a good way to determine natural from synthetic, but I'm new to this and have many questions.

Thanks in advance for any help/tips given, it's greatly appreciated.

Bret B.


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 Post subject: Re: Breath Test Questions
PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 1:04 am 
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Unless you have had tons of experience breathing on imitation and genuine diamonds, I would not recommend.


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 Post subject: Re: Breath Test Questions
PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:21 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Breath Test Questions
PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 4:06 pm 
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By the way, a breath test will NEVER seperate natural from synthetic.
Perhaps natural vs imitation....with experience.


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 Post subject: Re: Breath Test Questions
PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 4:46 pm 
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Sounds like way too many variables to be a useful test of anything, except maybe the current temperature and humidity :-)

If you breath on two stones at the same time, I suppose you might be able to tell if they're different.


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 Post subject: Re: Breath Test Questions
PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 11:59 pm 
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When I was almost young I worked at Whitehall Jewels....known for their imitation diamonds mounted in precious metal. When I first started working there, they featured strontium titanate doublets, then YAG, then CZ. They also carried genuine diamonds mounted in the same mountings as the imitations.

This could get uncomfortable if someone came in for a repair or sizing. I found that exhaling on the stones would separate the diamonds from their imposters. The steam on the diamonds cleared up immediately and the others would linger somewhat longer.

I was surrounded with these limitations and real diamonds for 7 years, therefore I got rather good at it. I'm not sure I could do it now.


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