Fluorite on Quartz ''casts'' after Calcite

Item Description

The famous La Viesca Mine in Asturias, Spain has produced some of the most iconic Fluorite specimens from any locality in the entire country. The superb quality, colorful larger sized Fluorite crystals, which are often found in well-formed examples, and often on matrix makes these pieces very popular with collectors. This small cabinet display specimen hosts a predominant, sharp, well-formed, rather gemmy, beautiful purple colored cubic crystal of Fluorite with dodecahedral modifications on the edges measuring 2.7 cm, along with a few smaller accenting Fluorite crystals which are sitting on sparkling white Quartz matrix. If you look closely, you can see that the Quartz crystals have formed hollow ''casts'' (sometimes called epimorphs or perimorphs) after preexisting Calcite. When the main Fluorite crystal is backlit, you can see distinct cubic "phantom" color zoning lines inside for a great touch! No major damage, and the piece is quite showy as you can see. Often the Viesca specimens featuring clusters or intergrown crystals, so to have a fine isolated Fluorite crystal sitting atop beautifully contrasting white Quartz matrix is a big deal for the material. Valued at $3,000. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#92 ES), 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 next two to three years through our various platforms.