Bournonite and Pyrite on Galena

Item Description

Choice combination piece from the well-known Huanzala Mine in Peru with rare bournonite from this locality. Though not as plentiful on this large, small-cabinet specimen as the striking Pyrites, the Bournonites have an importance and cachet all their own. Some of the Bournonite crystals, which range up to 8 mm across, exhibit the famous and highly desirable 'cogwheel' habit, which is caused by polysynthetic twinning. Interestingly, the Bournonites have a grey/white microcoating to them, which imparts an unusual, moss-like texture to the surfaces. The numerous Pyrites are complex cubes up to 1 cm, with classic brassy color, good luster, and sharp striations on all the faces. Underlying and intergrown with the massive Pyrite below is Galena. This aesthetic, representative piece is interesting on several levels. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl, 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.