New Venezuelan Subsidiary Created:  Dr. Enrique Tejera Paris To Serve as
                             President of New Unit

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystallex
International Corporation (Amex: KRY) (Toronto: KRY) today announced that
Mr. Robert A. Fung, formerly Vice-Chairman of Gordon Capital Corporation in
Toronto and a director of Crystallex has been elected Chairman of the
Crystallex Board of Directors.
    "Building shareholder value by focusing on our core mission -- the
identification and development of promising mineral projects around the globe
-- motivates all of us at Crystallex," Mr. Fung said.  "Crystallex is well-
positioned to achieve its growth targets.  As Chairman, my personal commitment
is to work with Marc Oppenheimer and the Board and Management team to reach,
then build upon, those goals," he continued.
    Commenting on the appointment, Marc J. Oppenheimer, President and CEO of
Crystallex stated "I have had the opportunity to work closely with Bob during
the past fifteen months in his active role as a board member.  It is with
extreme pleasure that I welcome this chance to work hand-in-hand with Bob in
building shareholder value in his new capacity as Chairman of the Board.  As
Vice-Chairman of Gordon Capital, Bob was involved in a broad range of
activities for that major Canadian natural resources investment house, and has
been involved in a number of growth situations worldwide."
    Mr. Oppenheimer also wanted to thank Mr. Philip R. Lacerte, former
Chairman of the Board.  "Philip's direction and insight through the past years
of Crystallex's development has provided inspiration for company management
and all his colleagues.  Phil and his family will be travelling around the
world throughout the coming year and he has accordingly resigned from the
Board.  We wish him well during his travels and thank him for all his
efforts."
    At the same time, the Company wishes to announce the formation of a new
Venezuelan subsidiary, Minera Venamo, C.A. (Minavenca) which will oversee the
various interests that Crystallex has in Venezuela as well as those that may
be created in the future.  Dr. Enrique Tejera Paris, formerly Venezuela's
Ambassador to Spain, will serve as President of Minera Venamo, C.A.
    Crystallex International Corporation is a gold mining and exploration
company.  The Company'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.
    NOTE:  This news release may include certain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States Securities and 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 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 and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.