Apatite (large crystal for the locality)

Item Description

A really impressive, large, robust Apatite crystal that is listed in Kurt's collection catalogue as coming from Imilchil, but the entry on mindat.org states these crystals are not actually from this locality. The reads as follows, "None of the minerals labelled as coming from "Imilchil" has actually been found in the market town of Imilchil or nearby in Imilchil Cercle, but in fact in several localities in the neighboring Agoudim Caïdat, Midelt Cercle, Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco". The actual locality on mindat today is listed as "Anemzi, Agoudim, Midelt Cercle, Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco", and we have updated the locality information for this piece to reflect this. With that said, this piece is an impressive example measuring well over 2 inches (!), which is about as large as I can remember seeing from the locality. It's a notably well-formed, lustrous, sharp, hexagonal group with a dramatic pyramidal termination, and a small basal "c" face. The color is a light greenish-yellow, but iron inclusions give it a two-tone appearance. It's a difficult piece to photograph/video, and it looks better in person. A really impressive and attractive example of these uncommon and eye-catching Apatites. Valued at $1,500. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#324 Mc), a well-known German collector all over Europe with worldwide contacts to dealers and collectors. He started collecting seriously at the age of 14 and his great and varied worldwide collection reached over 6000 pieces. He was very active mineralogically until shortly before his passing in 2020 at the age of 82. Considering his collection had a large number of pieces, it still had an unusually high standard of quality from most worldwide localities. He particularly specialized in all classics as well as minerals of the Black Forest, where he spent much time collecting. His Black Forest and German subcollections went to his good friend Wolfgang Wendel. We at The Arkenstone have the privilege of offering the remainder of this great worldwide collection over the next two to three years through our various platforms.