Hematite rose on adularia, with Rutile

Item Description

Cavradi hematites are a classic, treasured by the strahlers who find them in alpine mountain clefts and sold at premiums in Europe. Often, I see them and bemoan the damage or dings or aesthetics of some pieces I may see at Munich which do not meet the aesthetic standards I would wish them to. But not this one, which I traded for at the Munich show. This is a classy miniature of TOP quality, by any standard or persnicketiness. It features a 3-dimensional 2.7-cm crystal, freestanding and fully exposed, on contrasting white matrix of feldspar. The crystal has fat bevelled terminations, not the thin blades you often see ( I consider this style more important). It is accented by small, bright red rutile crystals which grow on the surface and serve to highlight the incredible metallic luster around them. And, lastly, the BACK of the crystal is freestanding above the matrix and is half-exposed above the matrix so this makes a dramatic miniature with the crystal showing 360-degrees around on its natural pedestal of feldspar matrix. From a private European collector specializing in Swiss classics, I cannot imagine much better for the size (and price!) range. Valued $2000