Callaghanite (extremely rare)

Item Description

Callaghanite is a very rare copper magnesium hydroxy carbonate mineral, only found in nine world localities according to mindat.org. The species was named in 1954 for Eugene "Pat" Callaghan who was the former Director of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines. Pat did extensive work on magnesite deposits, and Callaghanite was first discovered at the Sierra Magnesite Mine in Nevada. This piece is from that same locality and features micro indigo-blue colored crystalline aggregates with what appears to be white Hydromagnesite on matrix. We've photographed the Callaghanite with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate the quality. A wonderful rarity for any fan of minerals from the type locality. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#118 US), 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.