V.—Sugar 120 parts
Alum 10 parts
Cream of tartar 20 parts
Cochineal 3 parts
VI.—Cream of Tartar 1,000 parts
Alum 190 parts
Carbonate of magnesia 375 parts
Sugar 375 parts
Cochineal 75 parts
Essence Ceylon cinnamon 90 parts
Essence cloves 75 parts
Essence English peppermint 45 parts
VII.—Sugar 200 parts
Cream of tartar 400 parts
Magnesia 400 parts
Starch 400 parts
Cinnamon 32 parts
Mace 11 parts
Sulphate of quinine 16 parts
Carmine 17 parts
Scent with oil of peppermint and oil of rose.
VIII.—Bleaching powder 11 parts
Red coral 12 parts
IX.—Red cinchona bark 12 parts
Magnesia 50 parts
Cochineal 9 parts
Alum 6 parts
Cream of tartar 100 parts {254}
English peppermint oil 4 parts
Cinnamon oil 2 parts
Grind the first five ingredients separately, then mix the alum with the
cochineal, and then add to it the cream of tartar and the bark. In the
meantime the magnesia is mixed with the essential oils, and finally the
whole mass is mixed through a very fine silk sieve.
X.—Whitewood charcoal 250 parts
Cinchona bark 125 parts
Sugar 250 parts
Peppermint oil 12 parts
Cinnamon oil 8 parts
XI.—Precipitated chalk 750 parts
Cream of tartar 250 parts
Florence orris root 250 parts
Sal ammoniac 60 parts
Ambergris 4 parts
Cinnamon 4 parts
Coriander 4 parts
Cloves 4 parts
Rosewood 4 parts
XII.—Dragon’s blood 250 parts
Cream of tartar 30 parts
Florence orris root 30 parts
Cinnamon 16 parts
Cloves 8 parts
XIII.—Precipitated chalk 500 parts
Dragon’s blood 250 parts
Red sandalwood 125 parts
Alum 125 parts
Orris root 250 parts
Cloves 15 parts
Cinnamon 15 parts
Vanilla 8 parts
Rosewood 15 parts
Carmine lake 250 parts
Carmine 8 parts
XIV.—Cream of tartar 150 parts
Alum 25 parts
Cochineal 12 parts
Cloves 25 parts
Cinnamon 25 parts
Rosewood 6 parts
Scent with essence of rose.
XV.—Coral 20 parts
Sugar 20 parts
Wood charcoal 6 parts
Essence of vervain 1 part
XVI.—Precipitated chalk 500 parts
Orris root 500 parts
Carmine 1 part
Sugar 1 part
Essence of rose 4 parts
Essence of neroli 4 parts
XVII.—Cinchona bark 50 parts
Chalk 100 parts
Myrrh 50 parts
Orris root 100 parts
Cinnamon 50 parts
Carbonate of ammonia 100 parts
Oil of cloves. 2 parts
XVIII.—Gum arabic 30 parts
Cutch 80 parts
Licorice juice 550 parts
Cascarilla 20 parts
Mastic 20 parts
Orris root 20 parts
Oil of cloves 5 parts
Oil of peppermint 15 parts
Extract of amber 5 parts
Extract of musk 5 parts
XIX.—Chalk 200 parts
Cuttlebone 100 parts
Orris root 100 parts
Bergamot oil 2 parts
Lemon oil 4 parts
Neroli oil 1 part
Portugal oil 2 parts
XX.—Borax 50 parts
Chalk 100 parts
Myrrh 25 parts
Orris root 22 parts
Cinnamon 25 parts
XXI.—Wood charcoal 30 parts
White honey 30 parts
Vanilla sugar 30 parts
Cinchona bark 16 parts
Flavor with oil of peppermint.
XXII.—Syrup of 33° B. 38 parts
Cuttlebone 200 parts
Carmine lake 30 parts
English oil of peppermint 5 parts {255}
XXIII.—Red coral 50 parts
Cinnamon 12 parts
Cochineal 6 parts
Alum 2 1/8 parts
Honey 125 parts
Water 6 parts
Triturate the cochineal and the alum with the water. Then, after
allowing them to stand for 24 hours, put in the honey, the coral, and
the cinnamon. When the effervescence has ceased, which happens in about
48 hours, flavor with essential oils to taste.
XXIV.—Well-skimmed honey 50 parts
Syrup of peppermint 50 parts
Orris root 12 parts
Sal ammoniac 12 parts
Cream of tartar 12 parts
Tincture of cinnamon 3 parts
Tincture of cloves 3 parts
Tincture of vanilla 3 parts
Oil of cloves 1 part
XXV.—Cream of tartar 120 parts
Pumice 120 parts
Alum 30 parts
Cochineal 30 parts
Bergamot oil 3 parts
Clove 3 parts
Make to a thick paste with honey or sugar.
XXVI.—Honey 250 parts
Precipitated chalk 250 parts
Orris root 250 parts
Tincture of opium 7 parts
Tincture of myrrh 7 parts
Oil of rose 2 parts
Oil of cloves 2 parts
Oil of nutmeg 2 parts
XXVII.—Florentine orris 6 parts
Magnesium carbonate 2 parts
Almond soap 12 parts
Calcium carbonate 60 parts
Thymol 1 part
Alcohol, quantity sufficient.
Powder the solids and mix. Dissolve the thymol in as little alcohol
as possible, and add perfume in a mixture in equal parts of oil of
peppermint, oil of clove, oil of lemon, and oil of eucalyptus. About 1
minim of each to every ounce of powder will be sufficient.
XXVIII.—Myrrh, 10 parts; sodium chloride, 10 parts; soot, 5 parts;
soap, 5 parts; lime carbonate, 500 parts.
XXIX.—Camphor, 5 parts; soap, 10 parts; saccharine, 0.25 parts; thymol,
0.5 parts; lime carbonate, 500 parts. Scent, as desired, with rose oil,
sassafras oil, wintergreen oil, or peppermint oil.
XXX.—Powdered camphor, 6 parts; myrrh, 15 parts; powdered Peruvian
bark, 6 parts; distilled water, 12 parts; alcohol of 80° F., 50 parts.
Macerate the powders in the alcohol for a week and then filter.
XXXI.—Soap, 1; saccharine. 0.025; thymol, 0.05; lime carbonate, 50;
sassafras essence, enough to perfume.
XXXII.—Camphor, 0.5; soap, 1; saccharine, 0.025; calcium carbonate, 50;
oil of sassafras, or cassia, or of gaultheria, enough to perfume.
XXXIII.—Myrrh, 1; sodium chloride, 1; soap, 50; lime carbonate, 50;
rose oil as required.
XXXIV.—Precipitated calcium carbonate, 60 parts; quinine sulphate, 2
parts; saponine, 0.1 part; saccharine, 0.1 part; carmine as required;
oil of peppermint, sufficient.
XXXV.—Boracic acid, 100 parts; powdered starch, 50 parts; quinine
hydrochlorate, 10 parts; saccharine, 1 part; vanillin (dissolved in
alcohol), 1.5 parts.
«Neutral Tooth Powder.»—Potassium chlorate, 200 parts; starch, 200
parts; carmine lake, 40 parts; saccharine (in alcoholic solution), 1
part; vanillin (dissolved in alcohol), 1 part.
«Tooth Powder for Children.»—
Magnesia carbonate 10 parts
Medicinal soap 10 parts
Sepia powder 80 parts
Peppermint oil, quantity sufficient to flavor.
«Flavorings for Dentifrice.»—
I.—Sassafras oil, true 1 drachm Pinus pumilio oil 20 minims Bitter
orange oil 20 minims Wintergreen oil 2 minims Anise oil 4 minims Rose
geranium oil 1 minim Alcohol 1 ounce
Use according to taste.
II.—Oil of peppermint, English 4 parts
Oil of aniseed 6 parts {256}
Oil of clove 1 part
Oil of cinnamon 1 part
Saffron 1 part
Deodorized alcohol 350 parts
Water 300 parts
Or, cassia, 4 parts, and vanilla, 1/2 part, may be substituted for
the saffron.
«LIQUID DENTIFRICES AND TOOTH WASHES:»
«A French Dentifrice.»—I.—A preparation which has a reputation in
France as a liquid dentifrice is composed of alcohol, 96 per cent,
1,000 parts; Mitcham peppermint oil, 30 parts; aniseed oil, 5 parts;
oil of Acorus calamus, 0.5 parts. Finely powdered cochineal and cream
of tartar, 5 parts each, are used to tint the solution. The mixed
ingredients are set aside for 14 days before filtering.
Sozodont.—
II.—The liquid tooth preparation “Sozodont” is said to contain: Soap
powder, 60 parts; glycerine, 60 parts; alcohol, 360 parts; water, 220
parts; oils of peppermint, of aniseed, of clover, and of cinnamon, 1
part each; oil of wintergreen, 1–200 part.
III.—Thymol 2 grains
Benzoic acid 24 grains
Tincture eucalyptus 2 drachms
Alcohol quantity sufficient to make 2 ounces.
Mix. Sig.: A teaspoonful diluted with half a wineglassful of water.
IV.—Carbolic acid, pure 2 ounces
Glycerine, 1,260° 1 ounce
Oil wintergreen 6 drachms
Oil cinnamon 3 drachms
Powdered cochineal 1/2 drachm
S. V. R 40 ounces
Distilled water 40 ounces
Dissolve the acid in the glycerine with the aid of a gentle heat and
the essential oils in the spirit; mix together, and add the water and
cochineal; then let the preparation stand for a week and filter.
A mixture of caramel and cochineal coloring, N. F., gives an agreeable
red color for saponaceous tooth washes. It is not permanent, however.
Variations of this formula follow:
V.—White castile soap 1 ounce
Tincture of asarum 2 drachms
Oil of peppermint 1/2 drachm
Oil of wintergreen 1/2 drachm
Oil of cloves 5 drops
Oil of cassia 5 drops
Glycerine 4 ounces
Alcohol 14 ounces
Water 14 ounces
VI.—White castile soap 1 1/2 ounces
Oil of orange 10 minims
Oil of cassia 5 minims
Oil of wintergreen 15 minims
Glycerine 3 ounces
Alcohol 8 ounces
Water enough to make 1 quart.
VII.—White castile soap 3 ounces
Glycerine 5 ounces
Water 20 ounces
Alcohol 30 ounces
Oil of peppermint 1 drachm
Oil of wintergreen 1 drachm
Oil of orange peel 1 drachm
Oil of anise 1 drachm
Oil of cassia 1 drachm
Beat up the soap with the glycerine; dissolve the oils in the alcohol
and add to the soap and glycerine. Stir well until the soap is
completely dissolved.
VIII.—White castile soap 1 ounce
Orris root 4 ounces
Rose leaves 4 ounces
Oil of rose 1/2 drachm
Oil of neroli 1/2 drachm
Cochineal 1/2 ounce
Diluted alcohol 2 quarts
If the wash is intended simply as an elixir for sweetening the breath,
the following preparation, resembling the celebrated eau de botot, will
be found very desirable:
IX.—Oil of peppermint 30 minims
Oil of spearmint 15 minims
Oil of cloves 5 minims
Oil of red cedar wood 60 minims
Tincture of myrrh 1 ounce
Alcohol 1 pint
Care must be taken not to confound the oil of cedar tops with the oil
of cedar wood. The former has an odor like turpentine; the latter has
the fragrance of the red cedar wood.
For a cleansing wash, a solution of soap is to be recommended. It may
be made after the following formula:
X.—White castile soap 1 ounce
Alcohol 6 ounces
Glycerine 4 ounces
Hot water 6 ounces
Oil of peppermint 15 minims
Oil of wintergreen 20 minims
Oil of cloves 5 minims
Extract of vanilla 1/2 ounce
Dissolve the soap in the hot water and add the glycerine and extract of
vanilla. Dissolve the oils in the alcohol, mix the solutions, and after
24 hours filter through paper. {257}
It is customary to color such preparations. An agreeable brown-yellow
tint may be given by the addition of a small quantity of caramel. A red
color may be given by cochineal. The color will fade, but will be found
reasonably permanent when kept from strong light.
«TOOTH SOAPS AND PASTES:»
«Tooth Soaps.»—
I.—White castile soap 225 parts
Precipitated chalk 225 parts
Orris root 225 parts
Oil of peppermint 7 parts
Oil of cloves 4 parts
Water, a sufficient quantity.
II.—Castile soap 100 drachms
Precipitated chalk 100 drachms
Powdered orris root 100 drachms
White sugar 50 drachms
Rose water 50 drachms
Oil of cloves 100 drops
Oil of peppermint 3 drachms
Dissolve the soap in water, add the rose water, then rub up with the
sugar with which the oils have been previously triturated, the orris
root and the precipitated chalk.
III.—Potassium chlorate, 20 drachms; powdered white soap, 10 drachms;
precipitated chalk, 20 drachms; peppermint oil, 15 drops; clove oil, 5
drops; glycerine, sufficient to mass. Use with a soft brush.
«Saponaceous Tooth Pastes.»—
I.—Precipitated carbonate of lime 90 parts
Soap powder 30 parts
Ossa sepia, powdered 15 parts
Tincture of cocaine 45 parts
Oil of peppermint 6 parts
Oil of ylang-ylang 0.3 parts
Glycerine 30 parts
Rose water to cause liquefaction. Carmine solution to color.
II.—Precipitated carbonate of lime 150 parts
Soap powder 45 parts
Arrowroot 45 parts
Oil of eucalyptus 2 parts
Oil of peppermint 1 part
Oil of geranium 1 part
Oil of cloves 0.25 parts
Oil of aniseed 0.25 parts
Glycerine 45 parts
Chloroform water to cause liquefaction. Carmine solution to color.
Cherry Tooth Paste.—
III.—Clarified honey 100 drachms
Precipitated chalk 100 drachms
Powdered orris root 100 drachms
Powdered rose leaves 60 drops
Oil of cloves 55 drops
Oil of mace 55 drops
Oil of geranium 55 drops
Chinese Tooth Paste.—
IV.—Powdered pumice 100 drachms
Starch 20 drachms
Oil of peppermint 40 drops
Carmine 1/4 drachm
Eucalyptus Paste.—Forty drachms precipitated chalk, 11 drachms soap
powder, 11 drachms wheaten starch, 1/4 drachm carmine, 30 drops
oil of peppermint, 30 drops oil of geranium, 60 drops eucalyptus
oil, 2 drops oil of cloves, 12 drops oil of anise mixed together and
incorporated to a paste, with a mixture of equal parts of glycerine and
spirit.
Myrrh Tooth Paste.—
Precipitated chalk 8 ounces
Orris 8 ounces
White castile soap 2 ounces
Borax 2 ounces
Myrrh 1 ounce
Glycerine, quantity sufficient.
Color and perfume to suit.
A thousand grams of levigated powdered oyster shells are rubbed up
with 12 drachms of cochineal to a homogeneous powder. To this is added
1 drachm of potassium permanganate and 1 drachm boric acid and rubbed
well up. Foam up 200 drachms castile soap and 5 drachms chemically pure
glycerine and mix it with the foregoing mass, adding by teaspoonful 150
grams of boiling strained honey. The whole mass is again thoroughly
rubbed up, adding while doing so 200 drops honey. Finally the mass
should be put into a mortar and pounded for an hour and then kneaded
with the hands for 2 hours.
Tooth Paste to be put in Collapsible Tubes.—
Calcium carbonate, levigated 100 parts
Cuttlefish bone, in fine powder 25 parts
Castile soap, old white, powdered 25 parts
Tincture of carmine, ammoniated 4 parts
Simple syrup 25 parts {258}
Menthol 2 parts
Alcohol 5 parts
Attar of rose or other perfume, quantity sufficient.
Rose water sufficient to make a paste.
Beat the soap with a little rose water, then warm until softened, add
syrup and tincture of carmine. Dissolve the perfume and menthol in
the alcohol and add to soap mixture. Add the solids and incorporate
thoroughly. Finally, work to a proper consistency for filling into
collapsible tubes, adding water, if necessary.
«MOUTH WASHES.»
I.—Quillaia bark 125 parts
Glycerine 95 parts
Alcohol 155 parts
Macerate for 4 days and add:
Acid. carbol. cryst 4 parts
Ol. geranii 0.6 parts
Ol. caryophyll 0.6 parts
Ol. rosæ 0.6 parts
Ol. cinnam 0.6 parts
Tinct. ratanhæ 45 parts
Aqua rosæ 900 parts
Macerate again for 4 days and filter.
Thymol 20 parts
Peppermint oil 10 parts
Clove oil 5 parts
Sage oil 5 parts
Marjoram oil 3 parts
Sassafras oil 3 parts
Wintergreen oil 0.5 parts
Coumarin 0.5 parts
Alcohol, dil. 1,000 parts
A teaspoonful in a glass of water.
II.—Tincture orris (1 in 4) 1 1/2 parts
Lavender water 1/2 part
Tinct. cinnamon (1 in 8) 1 part
Tinct. yellow cinch bark 1 part
Eau de cologne 2 parts
Orris and Rose.—
III.—Orris root 30 drachms
Rose leaves 8 drachms
Soap bark 8 drachms
Cochineal 3 1/2 drachms
Diluted alcohol 475 drachms
Oil rose 30 drops
Oil neroli 40 drops
Myrrh Astringent.—
IV.—Tincture myrrh 125 drachms
Tincture benzoin 50 drachms
Tincture cinchona 8 drachms
Alcohol 225 drachms
Oil of rose 30 drops
Borotonic.—
V.—Acid boric 20 parts
Oil wintergreen 10 parts
Glycerine 110 parts
Alcohol 150 parts
Distilled water enough to make 600 parts
Sweet Salicyl.—
VI.—Acid salicylic 4 parts
Saccharine 1 part
Sodium bicarbonate 1 part
Alcohol 200 parts
Foaming Orange.—
VII.—Castile soap 29 drachms
Oil orange 10 drops
Oil cinnamon 5 drops
Distilled water 30 drachms
Alcohol 90 drachms
Australian Mint.—
VIII.—Thymol 0.25 parts
Acid benzoic 3 parts
Tincture eucalyptus 15 parts
Alcohol 100 parts
Oil peppermint 0.75 parts
Fragrant Dentine.—
IX.—Soap bark 125 parts
Glycerine 95 parts
Alcohol 155 parts
Rose water 450 parts
Macerate for 4 days and add:
Carbolic acid, cryst 4 parts
Oil geranium 0.6 parts
Oil cloves 0.6 parts
Oil rose 0.6 parts
Oil cinnamon 0.6 parts
Tincture rhatany 45 parts
Rose water 450 parts
Allow to stand 4 days; then filter.
Aromantiseptic.—
X.—Thymol 20 parts
Oil peppermint 10 parts
Oil cloves 5 parts
Oil sage 5 parts
Oil marjoram 3 parts
Oil sassafras 3 parts
Oil wintergreen 0.5 parts
Coumarin 0.5 parts
Diluted alcohol 1,000 parts
The products of the foregoing formulas are used in the proportion of 1
teaspoonful in a half glassful of water.
Foaming.—
XI.—Soap bark, powder 2 ounces
Cochineal powder 60 grains
Glycerine 3 ounces {259}
Alcohol 10 ounces
Water sufficient to make 32 ounces
Mix the soap, cochineal, glycerine alcohol, and water together;
let macerate for several days; filter and flavor; if same produces
turbidity, shake up the mixture with magnesium carbonate, and filter
through paper.
Odonter.—
XII.—Soap bark, powder 2 ounces
Cudbear, powder 4 drachms
Glycerine 4 ounces
Alcohol 14 ounces
Water sufficient to make 32 ounces
Mix, and let macerate with frequent agitation, for several days;
filter; add flavor; if necessary filter again through magnesium
carbonate or paper pulp.
Sweet Anise.—
XIII.—Soap bark 2 ounces
Aniseed 4 drachms
Cloves 4 drachms
Cinnamon 4 drachms
Cochineal 60 grains
Vanilla 60 grains
Oil of peppermint 1 drachm
Alcohol 16 ounces
Water sufficient to make 32 ounces
Reduce the drugs to coarse powder, dissolve the oil of peppermint in
the alcohol, add equal parts of water, and macerate therein the powders
for 5 to 6 days, with frequent agitation; place in percolator and
percolate until 32 fluidounces have been obtained. Let stand for a week
and filter through paper; if necessary to make it perfectly bright and
clear, shake up with some magnesia, and again filter.
Saponaceous.—
XIV.—White castile soap 2 ounces
Glycerine 2 ounces
Alcohol 8 ounces
Water 4 ounces
Oil peppermint 20 drops
Oil wintergreen 30 drops
Solution of carmine N. F. sufficient to color.
Dissolve the soap in the alcohol and water, add the other ingredients,
and filter.
XV.—Crystallized carbolic acid 4 parts
Eucalyptol 1 part
Salol 2 parts
Menthol 0.25 parts
Thymol 0.1 part
Alcohol 100 parts
Dye with cochineal (1 1/2 per cent).
«Jackson’s Mouth Wash.»—Fresh lemon peel, 10 parts; fresh sweet orange
peel, 10 parts; angelica root, 10 parts; guaiacum wood, 30 parts;
balsam of Tolu, 12 parts; benzoin, 12 parts; Peruvian balsam, 4 parts;
myrrh, 3 parts; alcohol (90 per cent), 500 parts.
«Tablets for Antiseptic Mouth Wash.»—Heliotropine, 0.01 part;
saccharine, 0.01 part; salicylic acid, 0.01 part; menthol, 1 part; milk
sugar, 5 parts. These tablets may be dyed green, red, or blue, with
chlorophyll, eosine, and indigo carmine, respectively.
«Depilatories»
«Depilatory Cream.»—The depilatory cream largely used in New York
hospitals for the removal of hair from the skin previous to operations:
I.—Barium sulphide 3 parts
Starch 1 part
Water, sufficient quantity.
The mixed powders are to be made into a paste with water, and applied
in a moderately thick layer to the parts to be denuded of hair, the
excess of the latter having been previously trimmed off with a pair
of scissors. From time to time a small part of the surface should be
examined, and when it is seen that the hair can be removed, the mass
should be washed off. The barium sulphide should be quite fresh. It can
be prepared by making barium sulphate and its own weight of charcoal
into a paste with linseed oil, rolling the paste into the shape of a
sausage, and placing it upon a bright fire to incinerate. When it has
ceased to burn, and is a white hot mass, remove from the fire, cool,
and powder.
The formula is given with some reserve, for preparations of this kind
are usually unsafe unless used with great care. It should be removed
promptly when the skin begins to burn.
II.—Barium sulphide 25 parts
Soap 5 parts
Talc 35 parts
Starch 35 parts
Benzaldehyde sufficient to make 120 parts
Powder the solids and mix. To use, to a part of this mixture add 3
parts of water, at the time of its application, and with a camel’s-hair
pencil paint the mixture evenly over the spot to be freed of hair. Let
remain in contact with the {260} skin for 5 minutes, then wash off with
a sponge, and in the course of 5 minutes longer the hair will come off
on slight friction with the sponge.
Strontium sulphide is an efficient depilatory. A convenient form of
applying it is as follows:
III.—Strontium sulphide 2 parts
Zinc oxide 3 parts
Powdered starch 3 parts
Mix well and keep in the dry state until wanted for use, taking then
a sufficient quantity, forming into a paste with warm water and
applying to the surface to be deprived of hair. Allow to remain from
1 to 5 minutes, according to the nature of the hair and skin; it is
not advisable to continue the application longer than the last named
period. Remove in all cases at once when any caustic action is felt.
After the removal of the paste, scrape the skin gently but firmly with
a blunt-edged blade (a paper knife, for instance) until the loosened
hair is removed. Then immediately wash the denuded surface well with
warm water, and apply cold cream or some similar emollient as a
dressing.
By weight
IV.—Alcohol 12 parts
Collodion 35 parts
Iodine 0.75 parts
Essence of turpentine 1.5 parts
Castor oil 2 parts
Apply with a brush on the affected parts for 3 or 4 days in thick
coats. When the collodion plaster thus formed is pulled off, the hairs
adhere to its inner surface.
V.—Rosin sticks are intended for the removal of hairs and are made
from colophony with an admixture of 10 per cent of yellow wax. The
sticks are heated like a stick of sealing wax until soft or semi-liquid
(142° F.), and lightly applied on the place from which the hair is to
be removed, and the mass is allowed to cool. These rosin sticks are
said to give good satisfaction.
DEPTHINGS, VERIFICATION OF: See Watchmakers’ Formulas.
DESILVERING: See Plating.
DETERGENTS: See Cleaning Preparations and Methods.
DEVELOPERS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES: See Photography.
DEXTRIN PASTES AND MUCILAGES: See Adhesives.
DIAL CEMENTS: See Adhesives, under Jewelers’ Cements.
DIAL CLEANERS: See Cleaning Preparations and Methods.
DIAL REPAIRING: See Watchmakers’ Formulas.
DIAMALT: See Milk.
«DIAMOND TESTS:»
See also Gems and Jewelers’ Formulas.
To Distinguish Genuine Diamonds.—If characters or marks of any
kind are drawn with an aluminum pencil on glass, porcelain, or any
substance containing silex, the marks cannot be erased by rubbing,
however energetic the friction, and even acids will not cause them to
disappear entirely, unless the surface is entirely freed from greasy
matter, which can be accomplished by rubbing with whiting and passing a
moistened cloth over the surface at the time of writing. So, in order
to distinguish the true diamond from the false, it is necessary only
to wipe the stone carefully and trace a line on it with an aluminum
pencil, and then rub it briskly with a moistened cloth. If the line
continues visible, the stone is surely false. If, on the contrary,
the stone is a true diamond, the line will disappear without leaving a
trace, and without injury to the stone.
The common test for recognizing the diamond is the file, which does not
cut it, though it readily attacks imitations. There are other stones
not affected by the file, but they have characteristics of color and
other effects by which they are readily distinguished.
This test should be confirmed by others. From the following the reader
can select the most convenient:
A piece of glass on which the edge of a diamond is drawn, will be cut
without much pressure; a slight blow is sufficient to separate the
glass. An imitation may scratch the glass, but this will not be cut as
with the diamond. {261}
If a small drop of water is placed upon the face of a diamond and moved
about by means of the point of a pin, it will preserve its globular
form, provided the stone is clean and dry. If the attempt is made on
glass, the drop will spread.
A diamond immersed in a glass of water will be distinctly visible, and
will shine clearly through the liquid. The imitation stone will be
confounded with the water and will be nearly invisible.
By looking through a diamond with a glass at a black point on a sheet
of white paper, a single distinct point will be seen. Several points,
or a foggy point will appear if the stone is spurious.
Hydrofluoric acid dissolves all imitations, but has no effect on true
diamonds. This acid is kept in gutta-percha bottles.
For an eye practiced in comparisons it is not difficult to discern
that the facets in the cut of a true diamond are not as regular as are
those of the imitation; for in cutting and polishing the real stone an
effort is made to preserve the original as much as possible, preferring
some slight irregularities in the planes and edges to the loss in
the weight, for we all know that diamonds are sold by weight. In an
imitation, however, whether of paste or another less valuable stone,
there is always an abundance of cheap material which may be cut away
and thereby form a perfect-appearing stone.