Hematite ps. Magnetite ex Jack Halpern Collection

Item Description

The superb, aesthetic, and simply amazing pseudomorphs of Hematite after Magnetite were an absolute sensation when they came out of Argentina in the mid 1990s and again in the early 2000s and around 2010 yet again - but now, they are simply classics among specimen collectors. Metallic and often scintillating, this small cabinet is highly representative of these clusters, and then some. The sharp octahedrons are equant to elongated, and they are arranged in a virtual latticework that makes for quite the architectural specimen. New ones have not come out in awhile so it is safe to assume that most, if not all, production of these pieces has ceased. This was in fact one of the original specimens brought out in 1996 from the first lot, that came to the Costa Mesa show. I know this because I bought it from the source directly (a gentlemanly Argentine) and sold it to Jack, and it still retains my label from those days which shows my very old student University of California PO BOX address! There are numerous references to Jack and his collection in print, but perhaps a good tour of the collection and its history will help give perspective on just how good, and important, this collection is: https://www.irocks.com/the-jack-halpern-collection