Which term means separating heavier materials (diamonds) from a test sample?

Which term means separating heavier materials (diamonds) from a test sample?

• A. Gravity sorting
• B. Girdle thickness percentage
• C. Glassie
• D. Gletz

Answer: (A)

Separating heavier materials from a test sample is done through gravity sorting. This method uses density differences to split components: diamonds have a much higher density than most surrounding minerals, so when the sample is processed in a gravity-based separation system (such as a dense medium, heavy-liquid separation, or a gravity concentrator), the diamonds tend to move with the heavier fraction while lighter material stays with the lighter fraction. This step helps concentrate the diamonds for further processing and testing. The other terms aren’t used to describe this separation process—girdle thickness percentage relates to cut measurements, and the remaining terms aren’t established gemology terms for sorting by density.

Separating heavier materials from a test sample is done through gravity sorting. This method uses density differences to split components: diamonds have a much higher density than most surrounding minerals, so when the sample is processed in a gravity-based separation system (such as a dense medium, heavy-liquid separation, or a gravity concentrator), the diamonds tend to move with the heavier fraction while lighter material stays with the lighter fraction. This step helps concentrate the diamonds for further processing and testing. The other terms aren’t used to describe this separation process—girdle thickness percentage relates to cut measurements, and the remaining terms aren’t established gemology terms for sorting by density.