Etch Channels revisited...Please explain

[ccuheartnurse]

Hi All,

I'd like to get more information regarding Etch Channel inclusions. Lately I've been finding stones with them ranging from VVS to SI's. There really aren't any specific discussions on them. Kenny's post touched on their definition but I'd like to get into knowing this particular inclusion better. How does this impact the structure / durability of the diamond & how does it affect it visually? Are these always colourless inclusions? How does this impact a fancy colour diamond? What happens when you have more than one? Is the pavilion the best place for them to be or if on an edge, how safe is it to bezel the edge or better to leave it exposed but use a halo instead? What would be the risk of recutting a stone with etch channels? Will it shatter because the hollow tubes? Do they grow larger over time? Is this the kind of inclusion that gets clarity enhanced? Or better to leave it alone as it it is a stable inclusion.

Too many questions I know but perhaps those from the trade can comment. I really just started out wanting to know if an SI-1 with an etch Channel would be ok. Lol. But hey, if I'm going to ask for information, might as well try to get as much information as I can get. I'm sure there are others that want to know.

Here's Kenny's thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-clarity-grading-question-etch-channel.172526/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-clarity-grading-question-etch-channel.172526/[/URL]

Thank you,
Judy

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I found some information about these inclusions. I hope I'm able to link the scientific report in full. It's a lengthy read but interesting. I didn't know Trigons were etch channels. My mothers diamond, before it's recut, had a grouping of them. Was cool to see under the microscope. They looked like a bunch of triangles all bunched up.

Anyway..happy reading..
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229316245_Observation_of_etch_channels_in_several_natural_diamonds
http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2015-labnotes-diamond-in-diamond
http://niceice.com/etch-channel-diamond-inclusions-gia-diamond-grading-report/
http://beyond4cs.com/grading/clarity-characteristics/etch-channels/

Still not sure after reading all this information if a stone with an etch channel or multiple channels pose a durability risk. One of the articles says to avoid Etch Channels in the pavilion because dirt would gather in the hollow tubes & once set, would be hard to clean out. This can't be good if you can't clean the stone.