Arsenopyrite (excellent crystals)

Item Description

The famed Yaogangxian Mine is one of China's top mineral specimen producing localities. For a couple decades, collectors have been seeing amazing specimens showing up on the market from this storied locality. Yaogangxian produced some of the finest crystallized examples of Arsenopyrite in the world, comparable to those found at Panasqueira. This hefty small cabinet display specimen features eye-catching "cockscomb"-shaped groups of silvery-grey metallic Arsenopyrite, measuring up to 3.3 cm across, associated with a bit of silvery-beige colored Muscovite. Very minor roughness can be seen, but the piece is largely damage-free, save the periphery where it was removed from the pocket. Rarely are pieces this size seen on the market, especially in such good condition, it's one of the best examples we've had to offer in the auctions in recent memory. Valued $2,500.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#186 C), 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 for the coming months/years through our various platforms.