Diamond - Udachnaya-Vostochnaya pipe, Russia - 2,5 x 1,9 x 1,9 cm
Mineral: Diamond
Locality: Udachnaya-Vostochnaya pipe, Daldyn, Daldyn-Alakit, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia
Dimensions: 2,5 x 1,9 x 1,9 cm

Description: Main crystal size: 2,5 cm Transparent almost perfect 53.05 carat octahedron with smooth and flat faces, with some slightly modified terminations and inclusions (of flattened sulfide crystals, probably pyrrhotite + pentlandite) in its center. The latter are reflected 4 times thanks to a kaleidoscope effect on the faces. Unlike most diamonds, this one has almost not been dissolved by the kimberlite which must have risen very fast to the surface of the Earth, hence the flat and smooth faces, as well as the straight edges. Such crystals are known in the trade as "Glassies" MIM number 1591 Photographer: James Elliott (FMI) Publication: "Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 98, No.6 Nov/Dec 2023"