How to determine if a rock is a diamond?

Could someone help me with this question? I have no idea how to do it...



A rock has a volume of 3.4 dm^3 and a mass of 119g. could the rock be diamond? Show all work and reasoning.How to determine if a rock is a diamond???? Check the question again; because these are impossible values.

If there are 119g in 3.4dm^3, there are 35g per dm^3

or 35kg per cubic metre.

Density of water is 1,000kg/m^3

This rock is less dense than any known solid or liquid.



However, if it was something like 119g in 0.034dm^3

then the answer would be 119/0.034 = 3500g in 1 dm^3 (or in 1*10^-6m^3)

0r 3.5*10^3kg/m^3

(specific gravity 3.5)



Therefore, in this case it could be a diamond (sg 3.50 - 3.53)How to determine if a rock is a diamond?Diamond is the hardest mineral with a Mohs' hardness of 10. A rock is a collection of minerals. A diamond is not a rock; it's a mineral. Volume and mass have very little to do with whether a mineral is a diamond. Those are a function of the size and density of a particular diamond. One of the easiest ways to tell if it is a diamond is to see if it will easily scratch glass or quartz. Glass is mostly quartz with a hardness of 5 to 6How to determine if a rock is a diamond?According to Wikipedia the density of diamond is

3.5 grams per cubic centimeter, or 3.5g/cc.



Your sample is

119g per 3.4 cubic dm (which is 3400 cc)

So, dividing both by 3400 we get a density of 0.035 g/cc



Seems like the numbers are right but the decimals are in the wrong place, unless I am doint something wrong.



Take this question over to the Physics section and ask it there. But first make sure you have copied everything correctly for your question.How to determine if a rock is a diamond?
While not QUITE as bad as saying "If its blue, its a sapphire", determining the density of a substance doesn't determine anything. Unless there are only two choices and your test rules one out.



A better test is thermal. Diamond has unusual properties with heat, so try a "diamond probe". In 2 seconds you'd have eliminated 99% of the simulants.



I'd tell you more, but if you aren't a gemologist, I am not allowed. You have to learn the secret handshake first.