Nickelskutterudite (formerly Chloanthite) (rare)

Item Description

For many years, there has been a bit of confusion about the chemical stoichiometry of the minerals Skutterudite, Nickelskutterudite, Smaltite and Chloanthite. Without getting too technical, the species have been re-categorized, and what used to be Smaltite is now Skutterudite, and what used to be Chloanthite is now Nickelskutterudite. With that said, you'll see old labels from this locality that reference at least three of these species, but just remember that any old Chloanthite labels should be considered as Skutterudite. This piece is a classic example of this rare nickel cobalt iron triarsenide featuring many bright silvery-white colored, sharp, pyritohedral crystals measuring up to 1.5 cm across, sitting on host rock matrix. Most of the crystals are undamaged, though there is some forgivable roughness on the periphery where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. While the type locality for Nickelskutterudite is in nearby Schneeberg, the crystals from Niederschlema are some of the finest examples of the species ever found. Valued at $4,000-$4,500 retail. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#155 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 over the next two to three years through our various platforms.