Etch figures on alum and the diamond pattern

Abstract
Potash alum crystals grown from solution had fine octahedron faces. They were etched by e quick dip in water. The etch figures obtained were not only similar in orientation end appearance to ‘natural growth’ figures on diamond, but were identical with them in every respect. Due attention is paid to ‘growth’ hillocks on one crystal end the etch hillocks on the other crystal. Interfacial angles as well as other characterizing marks of both kinds of pits are compared. It is concluded that diamond is not characterized by a special growth pattern and that in fact all figures naturally obtained on diamond are a result of natural dissolution.

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