Calcite (Cobalt-bearing) (RARE locality specimen)

Item Description

A truly impressive and in my experience, singularly spectacular display specimen of cobalt-bearing Calcite from this old iron mine. This is the only specimen of Calcite we've seen from this locality, let alone a beautifully bi-colored specimen in a robust cabinet size. The piece features a wonderful central group of soft purplish-pink colored rhombic crystals of cobalt-bearing Calcite with individual crystals measuring up to 1.5 cm, set atop a matrix of lighter pink Dolomite crystals. You can see that some of the Calcites and Dolomites are intermixed on the lower portion of the specimen, creating a very pleasing effect. With strong backlighting, the central group of Calcite crystals GLOWS with a gorgeous internal color. No major damage that I can see, and the piece is highly displayable and notably aesthetic to boot. A remarkable and honestly stunning piece that honestly bigger and better than anything I can remember seeing from Germany. Valued $5,000.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#417 D), 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 foreseeable future through our various platforms.