Micro-World Gems & Gemology, Fall 2024, Vol. 60, No. 3

Kaleidoscope of Butterflies and Tiny Fish in Diamonds

Tejas Jhaveri

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Figure 1. Mirrored and reflected fissures in a diamond take the form of a kaleidoscope of butterflies. Photomicrograph by Yash Jhaveri and Bijal Shah; field of view 4.20 mm.
Figure 1. Mirrored and reflected fissures in a diamond take the form of a kaleidoscope of butterflies. Photomicrograph by Yash Jhaveri and Bijal Shah; field of view 4.20 mm.

The author recently encountered two natural diamonds with interesting feather inclusions: a 1.55 ct round with G-color and I1 clarity and a 0.30 ct round with F-color and VS2 clarity.

The more heavily included diamond appeared to contain a swarm of butterflies. A feather breaking the pavilion surface was observed face-up through the crown, with mirror and prism images creating the appearance of a white butterfly (figure 1). Since the inclusion was visible through the upper half and bezel facets of the diamond, five prism images were formed, befitting the word “kaleidoscope” occasionally used to describe a group of butterflies.

Figure 2. A mirrored feather in diamond resembles a small fish swimming through sunlit waters. The image was captured in monochrome. Photomicrograph by Russel Carvalho; field of view ~8 mm.
Figure 2. A mirrored feather in diamond resembles a small fish swimming through sunlit waters. The image was captured in monochrome. Photomicrograph by Russel Carvalho; field of view ~8 mm.

The other diamond housed a small feather in the table with a mirror reflection (figure 2). The reflection along with the actual inclusion resembled a tiny fish swimming under the warm rays of the sun. Feathers are commonly seen in diamonds, but such unique and precise shapes of fish and butterflies are uncommon.

Tejas Jhaveri is a quality specialist at GIA in Mumbai.