Calcite partially coated by Realgar (rare association)

Item Description

This specimen is labeled as coming from "Grube Gnade Gottes", but I cannot find an entry for this mine on mindat.org, so we're leaving it simply as coming from St Andreasberg. The piece hosts a beautiful group of translucent, white, trigonal Calcite crystal measuring up to 2.7 cm, which have grown in columnar-esque formations. A thin deposition of bright red Realgar can be seen outlining the edges of the certain Calcite crystals, creating a very pleasing effect. I can't remember seeing another Calcite quite like this in person, though I found a few online for reference, though none of them are quite the same as this piece. It's a distinctive and certainly eye-catching specimen of what are some of the most well-known Calcites from Germany. If you collect worldwide Calcites, minerals from St Andreasberg or German classics, this is something that would make a great addition to your collection. Valued $1,250.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#331 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.