Calcite on Siderite on Calcite (highly aesthetic specimen)

Item Description

An amazingly aesthetic, dramatic and impactful display specimen from the Verkhnii Mine at Dalnegorsk. This incredibly three-dimensional piece features gorgeous curved flowing groups of Calcite which are intergrown to form substantial "flower"-esque group with hollow cavernous internal openings and noticeable flair, which are coated by botryoidal soft greenish-brown colored Siderite, and then capped off by a selective deposition of vitreous, slightly translucent Calcite in certain areas. The piece is in amazingly fine condition, with only a few small areas of damage, which is how you can tell that the Siderite is coating the earlier generation of Calcite as there are a few contacted areas where the white Calcite is exposed below the Siderite. Aside from that, the piece is virtually crystallized everywhere else, nearly a complete "floater"! I've never seen a piece like this in terms of scope, size, quality and sheer visual appeal. We've done our best to truly illustrate the beauty and overall intrigue of the specimen in the video, but it's impossible to get the full impact without seeing it in person. It's truly unique and certainly one of the most impressive and showy mineral specimens we've ever seen from this particular mine. Valued at $5,000 for all the aforementioned qualities, you'll likely never see another like it.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#277 Ru), 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.