What is an etch channel?

[whitewave]

I'm doing my daily rounds of databases and looking at heart shape diamonds.... in the .45 to .65 range. One has a clarity grade of SI2 with etch channel as the only remark.

What does this mean? I assume it is "bad"? Thanks.

 

[scarsmum]

This thread is helpful https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-clarity-grading-question-etch-channel.172526/

 

[whitewave]

Thanks. I was on the way to dinner and couldn't search.

I did have the same question as the last person on that thread, which is: is this "bad"?

 

[valeria101]

Can't think of any reason why an etch channel would be worse than any other inclusion of similar size & (lack of) colour. Even if one were the only clarity characteristic accounting for an SI2, it would still be a small, local discontinuity, mostly sunk into the crystal & no more.

Interesting detail !

 

[whitewave]

I think it is kinda cool actually. But, I have read dirt and oil can get in it and it's nearly impossible to get it out. So pass. Lol.

 

[valeria101]

Can't think of any reason why an etch channel would be worse than any other inclusion of similar size & (lack of) colour. Might think of a fresh / un-healed 'feather' as worse, as it takes least energy to expand (still allot, IHMO - comparable to the stress of polishing, or a serious & blow right on target)

Interesting detail !

[ ... etched crystals are a favorite type - see: beryl , diamond (hoc); no tubes ... they are quite rare in anything]

 

[valeria101]

I think it is kinda cool actually. But, I have read dirt and oil can get in it and it's nearly impossible to get it out. So pass. Lol.

The entrance is a small % of a mm., so it would be tricky to get anything in or out

2c

The lab report will ever need explaining !

 

[whitewave]

Can't think of any reason why an etch channel would be worse than any other inclusion of similar size & (lack of) colour. Might think of a fresh / un-healed 'feather' as worse, as it takes least energy to expand (still allot, IHMO - comparable to the stress of polishing, or a serious & blow right on target)

Interesting detail !

[ ... etched crystals are a favorite type - see: beryl , diamond (hoc); no tubes ... they are quite rare in anything]

Cool! Thanks for the links

 

[whitewave]

I am awaiting a video...

 

[whitewave]

Some shots from the video.

 

[whitewave]

The opinion of the gemologist was that it is eye clean and beautiful, so I bought it.