Molybdenite (excellent large ''rose'')

Item Description

Molybdenite is not often found in superb crystallized examples in nature. This piece is certainly one of the largest and finest crystallized "rose"-shaped groups of the species we've ever had to offer, not just from Babu, but from any locality. The piece has a bright silvery hue, brighter than the classic Hematite "iron rose" specimens, and it really stands out with its excellent symmetry and overall form. The piece is complete on the front, with no major damage, and it's not a "flat" specimen, as the center of the "rose" has a bit of depth to it. I love how the foliated hexagonal blades create such a unique shape, that exists between an almost mechanical metallic style and a natural formation. A truly impressive example of this now elusive material that was found in the late 2000s. I value this one highly for the size, quality and the fact that you cannot get them anymore, so I would put it in the $5,000 range. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#27 C), 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 over the next two to three years through our various platforms.