DIAMOND in MATRIX. Mir Mine, Eastern Siberia, Russia. ...

Description

DIAMOND in MATRIX
Mir Mine, Eastern Siberia, Russia

Thank God that "Diamonds are a girl's best friend", because if it wasn't for that, a whole lot of frozen Russians would be out of a job. Actually, they are out of a job since the Mir Mine closed permanently in 2011. Sometime between 1957 and 2011, this little gem escaped the frozen wastes of Siberia for warmer climes. Accompanying documents (in Russian) indicate that around 1992 is a little more likely. Appearance wise, the specimen just looks like a gray and white beach pebble, until you see the gem octahedral Diamond crystal embedded in one side. The Diamond measures about ¼ inch (6.5 mm) on edge and is absolutely colorless and transparent. The matrix is consistent with un-weathered Kimberlite: the "Blue Ground" that such Diamonds traveled with, from awesomely deep levels in the Earth's Mantle (between 93 and 280 miles below the surface, to be accurate). The Diamond is absolutely pristine.
Overall measurements: 1.5 x .75 x .75 inches (3.8 x 1.9 x 1.9 cm). Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Rocksmiths [Hoppel Catalog # R0033]


[Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]



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