The photos say it all - this GEM diopside crystal is perfectly balanced on crystallized graphite matrix, making for a special thumbnail specimen with poise, balance, and contrasts of both color and texture. For more information on this pocket, the single most famous pocket of the species ever, and generally considered the best-of-species pocket in terms of quality and value both. For more info on the find, see the Merelani issue of the Mineralogical Record, Sept-Oct 2009. The article mentions this find from the Karo pit (Block D) in December of 2007. This was one of the best thumbnails in the lot, and was chosen at the time by the previous owner as a larger expensive piece was purchased. There are bigger crystals, and some others with more on matrix, but the combination of quality of both crystallized mineral species here, set this piece apart - always has, always will. It is a superior competition-level specimen.