“Conch Shell” in Diamond
This transparent feather with noticeable depth, observed in a natural diamond, suggests a conch shell. The image was captured in monochrome. Photomicrograph by Tejas Jhaveri; field of view 2.50 mm.
Surface-reaching fractures or breaks in diamonds are commonly known as feathers. The authors recently came across a feather with a surprising anatomy in a 0.41 ct natural diamond with G color and I1 clarity. This structure resembled a conch shell (see above). The conch shell, also called a shankha in India, is used for religious purposes and as a musical instrument, and it is thought to bring good luck.
