A Superb gem quality and SHARP diamond crystal in matrix from Russia . The crystal is a single octohedron with intricately stepped faces. The diamond has been estimated to be nearly 1.5 carats. The diamond is gemmy and read-through, absolutely facetable. It measures 5 mm across. Although it might seem small, it has wonderful visual impact because of the clarity and perch on contrasting matrix. Embedded nearly 50% in the matrix, so you know it is real. Additionally, around the diamond is a thin white layer you sometimes see in these pieces. This indicates not glue but rather an alteration in the surrounding rock due to the chemical heat of formation of the crystal; and is a good indication of its origins as natural. Andreas Graw collection.Joe Budd Photos

At 10.73 carats, this is a MAJOR diamond thumbnail specimen for its lustre , sharpness, and color saturation. The color is fancy intense, not just a medium yellow. The lustre is bright and glassy, not just average. And, the geometry is more appealing than most such simple, single crystals. Moreover, most diamonds in this size show rolling dings or worn edges from natural proceesses or from damage in handling. This is a razor sharp quality for a cluster, which tend to be rounded. The locality is probably from the Miba Mine, based on style, though my source was not sure of that detail. In any case, it is a SUPERB crystallized fancy diamond crystal that stands out from the usual white and colorless singles ! The crystal measures 1.1 or 1 cm on edges, and 1.5 cm tip to tip as it stands up. Joe Budd photos

This is a literally spherical diamond, 11.23 carats in size and just a hair over 1 cm in diameter. It would be considered relatively large for its style, called "ballas" in diamond classification. Although round, it is not rounded by erosive forces and occurred like this naturally. According to Wikipedia's article on diamonds, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_properties_of_diamond : "Some diamonds found in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are polycrystalline and occur as opaque, darkly colored, spherical, radial masses of tiny crystals; these are known as ballas and are important to industry as they lack the cleavage planes of single-crystal diamond." This is a perfect example, and is very translucent and attractive as well. It has a pleasing slight beige tint to the color - most are more gray in tone. From an old collection, and then recently in the Jim Houran collection of gem thumbnail crystals for a few years. Joe Budd Photos

A rare locality piece! This is a relatively large, very gemmy diamond showing unusual rounded, extended crystal form. The piece is large, at 32.13 carats of solid diamond. It is large and extended and certainly LOOKS like it is bigger than it weighs because of its surface area to volume ratio. This was one of two such diamonds I bought at the Tucson 2009 show and have held back awaiting hopes of more from my source (but no more came out). The piece is illustrated in the "Whats New from Tucson" article for that year (May June issue, 2009, page 248). I have not seen more since that show. Joe Budd photos

A rare locality piece! This is a neat cluster of two very gemmy , intergrown diamonds showing unusual rounded crystal form. It is a respectable size thumbnail specimen and diamond , at 20.53 carats. Although the smaller of the two, this is more aesthetic. I cannot say I have seen the like from any other locale, either. This was one of two such diamonds I bought at the Tucson 2009 show and have held back awaiting hopes of more from my source (but no more came out). The piece is illustrated in the "Whats New from Tucson" article for that year (May June issue, 2009, page 248). I have not seen more since that show. Joe Budd photos