Chalcophanite (fine specimen)

Item Description

A superb, very attractive, display quality older specimen from Santa Eulalia featuring sparkling, dark grey-black colored botryoidal groups of Chalcophanite on minor oxidized matrix. Upon close inspection, you can see the groups comprise hundreds of tiny crystals, not just round masses of Chalcophanite. This is certainly the best example of this uncommon hydrated zinc manganese oxide that we've had to offer in the auctions, and if you collect rarities or minerals specifically from Santa Eulalia, this is a choice example, as the piece is undamaged (save the bottom where it detached from the pocket wall) and sits quite nicely on its own without the aid of a base or clay.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#219 MX), 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 coming months and years through our various platforms.