Hausmannite (rare CRYSTALS)

Item Description

A superb old Hausmannite specimen from this historic manganese deposit at Ilfeld. Please note that the label attributes Ilfeld as the type locality for Hausmannite, but this is a common misconception, as the actual type locality is Oehrenstock in the Ilm District of Thuringia. What makes this piece is valuable and desirable is that it features distinct CRYSTALS of Hausmannite. Most of the Hausmannite from Ilfeld are seen as pseudomorphing after Manganite, so they are taking the form of the prismatic Manganite crystals, but this piece features beautiful, euhedral pseudo-octahedral (bi-pyramidal tetragonal) composite crystal groups of a metallic grey-black hue measuring up to 8 mm, on massive Hausmannite matrix. The perimeter of the specimen is contacted, but the central vug is filled with excellent undamaged crystals. It's one of the VERY few examples I've seen on non-pseudomorphic Hausmannite from Ilfeld. We've done our best to illustrate the quality in the close-up photos, but take my word for it, this is an important specimen for what it is, and you're not likely to see another like it from this famous, classic locality again anytime soon. Valued $2,500.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#11 D), 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 foreseeable future through our various platforms.