Vancouver, BC -  Crystallex International Corporation ( symbol KRY on TSE and AMEX) announced today that, following approval by the CDNX, it has acquired $85,000 principal amount of floating rate convertible debentures due October 19, 2003 and warrants to purchase 850,000 common shares of First Choice Industries Ltd. ("First Choice").  The debentures are convertible into common shares of First Choice at a price of $0.10 per share.  The warrants have an exercise price of $0.10 per share and expire October 19, 2003.  In addition to the debentures and warrants, Crystallex holds 2,135,720 common shares of First Choice and warrants to purchase 150,000 common shares at an exercise price of $0.16 per share.

About Crystallex:
Crystallex International Corporation is an emerging intermediate gold mining company. The Company owns or controls a number of strategic properties in South America. Crystallex's strategy for growth is to develop its portfolio of properties in South America as well as to diversify geographically by investing in producing or near-production projects and by exploring properties of merit in other areas of the world.

On Behalf of the Board:

Marc J. Oppenheimer, President & CEO

For Further Information:
Contact:  A Richard Marshall, VP at  (201) 541-6650 or Andrea Boltz at (604) 683-0672
To receive previous Company releases:  (800) 758-5804  ext.114620
Visit us on the Internet:  http://www.crystallex.com

Note:
This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Crystallex, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties.  There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed from time to time with The Toronto Stock Exchange, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.
 
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed this release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.