Secrets And Technology
Gemstone identification can be an arduous problem, and getting it right is essential for the people in the trade. Recently, electronic gem testers have come in the market that promise to simplify this problem. These are small, handheld devices with a small probe that is placed against the gemstone.
These devices first entered the market as diamond testers, and helped solve the problem of distinguishing natural diamond from cubic zirconia (a synthetic diamond stimulant). An electronic diamond tester is, in fact, a portable device that we can put in our pocket. The tester has a small, needlelike tip that needs to be placed firmly on the stone under test. If the diamond is real, the device indicates that on its display, often with an aural alert.
How it works
Diamond is an extremely good conductor of heat, and this property has been the basis of one of the oldest tests for diamond—touch a diamond with your lip and it will feel cold! Diamond testers’ working principle is based on the fact that different gemstones conduct heat differently. Heat will pass through a diamond in a different way than it would through a cubic zirconia or glass. The diamond tester will detect the rate at which heat moves through the stone and tell whether it is a real diamond or not.
As diamond is an exceptional thermal conductor (and cubic zirconia is not), the first diamond testers used a heated probe to detect heat dissipation. These were very effective at distinguishing natural diamond from cubic zirconia. But then another diamond simulant called moissanite entered the market, and diamond testers were not able to detect it (moissanite is also a very good thermal conductor).
This story is from the June 2017 edition of Electronics For You.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2017 edition of Electronics For You.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Smart WATER SERVING ROBOT
With the advent of artificial intelligence, robots find application in various sectors such as industry, homes, bars, restaurants, events, agriculture, and even space.
Multi-Purpose Wire-Loop SECURITY SYSTEM
This multi-purpose security system utilises wire loops to secure items. Wire loops can be employed in various ways for security applications such as luggage security, bike security, bicycle security, room security, and door security.
The Importance Of RADIATION PATTERN OF AN ANTENNA
Look beyond an antenna’s size and gain; its radiation pattern holds the key to its performance. Understanding this can unlock a whole new perspective on wireless communication
"Capitalise On 'CHINA PLUS TWO,' Where Products With Higher Value Addition BECOME THE FOCUS"
EPIC Foundation aims to transform India into an electronics hardware product nation by collaborating with governments, universities, design houses, and startups.
ADDING LOCATION TRACKING To The Wearable Interface Device
Here’s how you can add location tracking, without GPS, to the project for a smartwatch like HID with keyboard and touchpad, which was published in March issue.
"NATUREINSPIRED ADAS ALGOS Will Be MUCH BETTER Than Robotic Paradigm Algos"
Most of the ADASenabled vehicles of today function on algorithms (algos) inspired by robots used in a logistics setup. Can ADAS algos inspired by the human brain and nature be better? In a conversation with EFY's Mukul Yudhveer Singh, Gagandeep Reehal, Co-Founder, CEO & CTO, Minus Zero, illustrates this using the 'sunset mistaken for red light' example, shedding light on where India's Minus Zero is headed!
NEW EV POLICY: Will It Kill More Than Two Birds With One Stone?
With China taking the lead in electric vehicle production and sales in many global markets, can India’s new electric vehicle manufacturing policy encourage champion brands to set up shop in India? Can this policy be the turning point for India’s automobile industry’s bid to go global?
A Device That Enables SELLING UNUSED INTERNET DATA From Your Mobile Network
What if you could sell your remaining mobile data before the end of the month or even daily? Christophe Bureau, a Board Member of DotDot, in a conversation with EFY’s Mukul Yudhveer Singh, sheds light on what the Dot device offers beyond assisting users in selling their unused internet data
"EV INDUSTRY'S In The Compounding Stage Of BATTERY CELL TECHNOLOGY"
As sodium-ion battery packs gain attention in India, does this spell a bleak future for lithium-ion batteries? Furthermore, where does hydrogen stand as a fuel cell and combustion fuel? Dr Yashodhan Pramod Gokhale, CTO of Battrix, weighs in
ASSISTIVE AI: Semiconductor Design, Manufacture, And Workforce
Together, human intelligence and AI create a powerful synergy, highlighting the vital lesson for the semiconductor workforce: adapt to new technologies