Gersdorffite with Calcite

Ait Ahmane, Zagora Prov., Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Ex. Dr. Erika Pohl-Stroher - 89983
Cabinet, 12.7 x 7.9 x 6.8 cm
Start Time: 04/27/2023 7:00:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 05/04/2023 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $4,606
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Item Description

This is an impressive colorful Gersdorffite specimen from arguably the best locality in the world for the species, with huge crystals that are unusually well displayed and isolated on matrix compared to the usual massive plates we see. Numerous, excellent, octahedral, medium gray metallic Gersdorffite crystals with very well defined faces and edges occur in groups with individuals to 3.5 cm on edge. Some of these crystals are of considerable size for the species and are unusually fresh and bright. They are on, and in, a matrix of white Calcite that has not been acid-etched (as were most). There are several very aerial groups of sharp octahedral crystals on the piece with largest ones on the right side and many of the crystals exhibit triangular, geometric growth patterns on their faces. Gersdorffite is an uncommon nickel arsenic sulfide and the finds at the two mines at Ait Ahmane occur in Co-Ni-calcite veins and have redefined the species. Additional color is provided by thin coatings of green Annabergite (a nickel mineral). Very hard to find on the market, and we can say for certain that the finest examples of this species have come from this Moroccan locality. Among them, a piece with such large, isolated crystals on contrasting matrix is 1 in 1000 or rarer. This is a significant cabinet piece of a hugely important nickel species, seldom seen in large crystals or any kind of aesthetics. It was valued in the collection at $20,000.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$4,606 05/04/2023 6:36:13 pm (CDT)
$4,556 05/04/2023 6:36:13 pm (CDT)
$4,550 05/04/2023 6:32:17 pm (CDT)
$4,500 05/04/2023 6:32:17 pm (CDT)
$4,106 05/04/2023 6:31:25 pm (CDT)
$4,056 05/04/2023 6:31:25 pm (CDT)
$4,050 05/04/2023 6:28:55 pm (CDT)
$4,000 05/04/2023 6:28:55 pm (CDT)
$3,750 05/04/2023 6:27:34 pm (CDT)
$3,700 05/04/2023 6:27:33 pm (CDT)
$3,306 05/04/2023 6:27:14 pm (CDT)
$3,256 05/04/2023 6:27:13 pm (CDT)
$3,250 05/04/2023 6:24:15 pm (CDT)
$3,200 05/04/2023 6:24:00 pm (CDT)
$3,156 05/04/2023 6:24:00 pm (CDT)
$3,066 05/04/2023 6:22:43 pm (CDT)
$3,016 05/04/2023 6:22:43 pm (CDT)
$2,706 05/04/2023 6:22:19 pm (CDT)
$2,656 05/04/2023 6:22:18 pm (CDT)
$2,606 05/04/2023 6:21:08 pm (CDT)
$2,556 05/04/2023 6:21:08 pm (CDT)
$2,550 05/04/2023 6:07:27 pm (CDT)
$2,500 05/04/2023 6:07:27 pm (CDT)
$2,406 05/04/2023 6:07:12 pm (CDT)
$2,356 05/04/2023 6:07:12 pm (CDT)
$2,306 05/04/2023 6:07:02 pm (CDT)
$2,256 05/04/2023 6:07:02 pm (CDT)
$2,106 05/04/2023 5:58:57 pm (CDT)
$2,056 05/04/2023 5:58:57 pm (CDT)
$2,050 05/04/2023 4:51:17 pm (CDT)
$2,000 05/04/2023 4:51:17 pm (CDT)
$1,556 05/04/2023 4:50:52 pm (CDT)
$1,506 05/04/2023 4:50:52 pm (CDT)
$1,062 05/04/2023 6:15:57 am (CDT)
$1,012 04/29/2023 1:03:41 pm (CDT)
$1,000 04/29/2023 1:03:40 pm (CDT)
$343 04/28/2023 11:28:40 am (CDT)
$333 04/28/2023 11:28:39 am (CDT)
$330 04/27/2023 9:01:03 pm (CDT)
$320 04/27/2023 9:01:03 pm (CDT)
$309 04/27/2023 9:00:10 pm (CDT)
$299 04/27/2023 9:00:10 pm (CDT)
$286 04/27/2023 9:00:04 pm (CDT)
$276 04/27/2023 9:00:04 pm (CDT)
$252 04/27/2023 8:58:09 pm (CDT)
$242 04/27/2023 8:58:09 pm (CDT)
$232 04/27/2023 8:58:02 pm (CDT)
$222 04/27/2023 8:58:02 pm (CDT)
$199 04/27/2023 8:57:54 pm (CDT)
$189 04/27/2023 8:57:54 pm (CDT)
$179 04/27/2023 8:57:45 pm (CDT)
$169 04/27/2023 8:57:45 pm (CDT)
$133 04/27/2023 8:28:19 pm (CDT)
$123 04/27/2023 8:28:19 pm (CDT)
$51 04/27/2023 8:06:46 pm (CDT)
$46 04/27/2023 8:06:46 pm (CDT)
$20 04/27/2023 7:47:20 pm (CDT)
$15 04/27/2023 7:47:20 pm (CDT)
$10 04/27/2023 7:09:53 pm (CDT)