Calcite (''poker chip'' crystals) with Pyrite

Item Description

A beautiful display specimen from the Dongpo ore field in Hunan, China featuring a delightful crystallized "mound" of sharp, thin, silvery colored "poker chip" habit Calcite crystals measuring up to 2.4 cm across on matrix. Select areas feature small semi-spherical cluster of micro crystallized Pyrite, along with some eye-catching "dustings" of iridescent Chalcopyrite. Most of the crystals are pristine, only minor imperfections can be seen. The piece is completely crystallized all over, save the base, where it was sawn, presumably to trim off broken matrix. The piece sits wonderfully on its own without a base or clay. A showy example of these now limited Calcites. Valued $2,000.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#821 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 through our various platforms.