Diamond (large dodecahedron)

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This champagne-colored diamond crystal is a significant example of the more uncommon dodecahedral crystal habit for the gem, and it is compete all around and transparent. It is equant, well-formed, on both sides. The luster is superb - a classic and silky "adamantine" luster that is hard to describe until you actually see it. The very word adamantine was actually coined from the luster of a fine diamond, in fact. At 9.68 carats, this is a formidable specimen for any mineral collector or thumbnail gem collection. Because of the shape of the stone, which gives it a higher surface area to mass ratio, it looks a little bigger from the front. It has been a long time since I have had such a large and gemmy diamond at this price point - normally they go through a few more hands to reach market, than this one did. Note that because of the way light is refracting off the back faces, in the dodecahetron crystal here, it looks murkier in the photos and more clean in person than the camera's eye can convey.