Fluorapatite with Fluorite (rare combo for the locality)

Item Description

The famous Yaogangxian Mine is well-known for its beautiful Fluorites, but this piece has a distinctively rare and attractive association as it features seafoam colored hexagonal crystals of Fluorapatite. We've only seen a handful of pieces over the years that feature both minerals together from this mine, and this one is especially attractive as both the Fluorites and the Apatites have good color and crystal form. The Fluorites show beautiful "phantom" zoning that ranges from a rich purple hue to nearly colorless, and show excellent, razor-sharp, lustrous cubic faces. Associated tan colored Muscovite and black Sphalerite are also present on the piece. Minor roughness can be seen, but the piece is in good condition overall. The largest Apatite crystal measures about 1.4 cm across, and the largest Fluorite measures 1.2 cm on edge. A beautiful and notably rare combo specimen from this prolific locale.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#327 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.