important large classic Baryte (fluorescent)

Item Description

HUGE and superb for the classic mining area, this very fine Baryte cluster is from the mines at Olloix, France. Well-formed and visually engaging, with contacting only along the base and out of view, the main crystal is a striking 13 cm in size. An appealing, deep-honey color, uniform throughout, is enhanced by the high luster on most of the faces. The crystals are quite gemmy, so much so that just a little light from above and behind allows a good view of the interior. There you can see reflections off the internal crazing, which in places are in such dense swarms they seem like flashing thunderclouds when illuminated. It is as close to pristine as you could want, really - in something this size and weight (1267 grams or over 3 pounds). Baryte has a hardness of 3, so a small amount of chatter along the edges, as well as only the smallest of all the crystals having a chipped face, is unsurprising for a piece this substantial; and they are not very impactful on the showiness of the specimen. Under UV light, there are phantoms that light up and with an eerie white glow, and give notice to a complicated and interesting history. The aesthetics are dramatic, and the ring of smaller crystals around the base of the central crystal adds a certain flair that raises the visuals to an even higher level. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl, 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. This is a significant, important specimen. We have seen much lesser crystals priced at European shows into the thousands of euros, and this is gemmy, intensely colored, and so nearly perfect.