Fluorite (bi-colored crystals) on spherical Baryte

Item Description

The Fluorites from southern Illinois are some of the most recognizable and colorful examples of the species from any US locality. The famous Minerva No. 1 Mine was one of the leading producers of the material, yielding many fine quality specimens over the years. This piece is a fairly uncommon association specimen featuring several sharp, lustrous, gemmy, bi-colored (golden in the center with purple hues along the exterior edges) cubic crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 1.8 cm on edge, sitting on unusually botryoidal, soft silvery colored Baryte matrix. The habit of the Baryte is certainly odd for the species, but not unheard of from this locality, and to find Fluorites on top of Baryte like this is a rare combo for sure. Most of the crystals are in great condition, with no damage I can find, and there are only a few small areas of roughness. A cool combo piece from this now defunct, but classic locality.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#83 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 through our various platforms.