Fluorite var: Yttrofluorite on Calcite with RARE Gypsum association

Item Description

A very attractive display specimen of this unique material with a twist of featuring a rare association. This small cabinet specimen is NOT from the find in early 2021, but dates back much further, as it was an early entry in the Chinese section of Kurt's collection catalogue (#43 out of over 900 Chinese specimens). The piece hosts a sculptural group of sharp, dogtooth Calcite crystals which have a gentle yet distinct coverage of purple Fluorite (var: Yttrofluorite), but the most intriguing aspect is that the upper portions of the crystals featuring GEM QUALITY blades of colorless Gypsum measuring to about 6 mm. This is the only piece I can recall seeing where the Calcites had GYPSUM crystals like this. So not only do you have Yttrofluorite on this piece, which is already a rare variety of Fluorite containing an appreciable amount of trivalent yttrium (Y) (it's also purple, which is also not commonly seen in this variety), and then you throw in the "ice" on top in the form of the Gypsum crystals, and you have something unique and special. For reference, Yttrofluorite was originally reported as a species in Norway in the early 1900s, but was discredited and reclassified as a variety of Fluorite in 2006. Don't miss out on this one, it would make a great addition to any Chinese suite or a collection of Calcites/Fluorites. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#43 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 over the coming months and years through our various platforms.