Goethite pseudomorph after Siderite with Quartz (rare locality specimen)

Item Description

When people think of Moroccan minerals, they probably conjure images of secondary ore species, silver minerals, or even fluorite or calcite, and this piece is not what one would expect from any Moroccan locale. This full-sized cabinet specimen hosts many sharp, well-formed, dark grey-brown colored rhombic crystals of what were originally Siderite, but have been pseudomorphed by Goethite measuring up to 1.7 cm, associated with prismatic, sharp, lustrous, gemmy colorless prisms of Quartz on matrix. I'm not certain what kind of deposit Gourrama Cäidat is, but it almost looks like some kind of an "Alpine-type" kleft as the Quartz crystals have what appears to be a "Faden"-esque formation. I've seen similar specimens from the Rhône-Alpes in France, which are from true Alpine deposits, so it's very possible that a similar mineralogical environment exists at Gourrama Cäidat. Very few of these pieces exist, they were found in the mid 1990s, and to the best of my knowledge, never again. This is arguably the finest piece we've ever had to offer from the locality, so if you're a fan of Moroccan minerals, Siderite or oddball locality pieces, this is something that you're not likely to find anywhere else, don't miss out.
Valued $2,000.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#183 M), 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 for the coming months/years through our various platforms.