Character sampling tests which properties of diamonds in a deposit?

Character sampling tests which properties of diamonds in a deposit?

• A. Weight only
• B. Fluorescence
• C. Size, shape, clarity and color
• D. Hardness

Answer: (C)

Character sampling aims to describe the gem-quality attributes of diamonds in a deposit that determine value and how they will behave in processing. The most informative properties to record are size, shape, color and clarity, because together they define how diamonds occur in the ore and what prices they command. Size and shape describe the physical distribution and morphology, which affect sorting and recovery in processing. Color and clarity capture the appearance and internal quality that drive market value. Hardness is essentially constant for diamond and doesn’t vary across diamonds in a deposit, so it doesn’t help differentiate the character of the population. Fluorescence can be noted, but it’s a secondary attribute that doesn’t define the overall character of the deposit as robustly as color and clarity. Weight alone misses the key quality attributes that determine value, so the combination of size, shape, color and clarity best characterizes diamonds in the deposit.

Character sampling aims to describe the gem-quality attributes of diamonds in a deposit that determine value and how they will behave in processing. The most informative properties to record are size, shape, color and clarity, because together they define how diamonds occur in the ore and what prices they command. Size and shape describe the physical distribution and morphology, which affect sorting and recovery in processing. Color and clarity capture the appearance and internal quality that drive market value. Hardness is essentially constant for diamond and doesn’t vary across diamonds in a deposit, so it doesn’t help differentiate the character of the population. Fluorescence can be noted, but it’s a secondary attribute that doesn’t define the overall character of the deposit as robustly as color and clarity. Weight alone misses the key quality attributes that determine value, so the combination of size, shape, color and clarity best characterizes diamonds in the deposit.