Cuprite var: Chalcotrichite (RARE locality specimen)

Item Description

Cuprite specimens from Moonta are notably hard to find on the market, and the acicular variety Chalcotrichite are virtually unseen. This piece is the only specimen of Chalcotrichite that we've ever had to offer from this locality. This small cabinet specimen features a few octahedral crystals of Cuprite measuring up to about 5 mm, but they crystals have altered to the Chalcotrichite on the surface, showing thin fibrous bright red needles overgrowing the original Cuprite crystals. The piece is best seen under magnification, and we've done our best to illustrate the quality in the micro photos. A great piece for any fan of secondary copper minerals or specimens from Australia.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#85 A), 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.