Chabazite

Item Description

This piece is labeled as coming from "Bei Zulova ( Friedeberg )" in Kurt's collection catalogue, but I can't find a listing for Chabazite from this locality. My guess is that it's likely from a locality in the Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic. With that said, this eye-catching specimen features some of the largest individual crystals of Chabazite that I can remember seeing from any Czech locality, as they measure up to 2.5 cm on edge. The crystals have a soft white hue underneath, with a light golden yellow color on the surface, and have formed an interlocking, flowing group that gracefully curves over the matrix, creating a very attractive display piece. There are two "Phacolite"-esque groups of Chabazite on one corner of the piece, notably different from the larger "rhombs" (they're actually triclinic crystals, so not exactly trigonal rhombic habit). No major damage that I can find, and the piece can be displayed from a few angles, depending on which direction you want to show off the crystals best. Valued $1,500.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#141 TS), 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.