Pyromorphite

Item Description

Pyromorphite is one of the most well-known, sought after and beautiful secondary ore species, and when it comes to Pyromorphite, the finest contemporary green specimens are those from the Daoping Mine in China. These excellent pieces rank among the highest tiers for the species. We have been told by a source in China that the area of the Daoping Mine that produced these pieces is finished and we may never see these superb Pyromorphites again unless a new area is opened up. This eye-catching and fine quality small cabinet sized piece features wonderful sharp, lustrous, prismatic crystals of hexagonal Pyromorphite with a lovely rich green hue aesthetically sitting oxidized matrix. A tiny bit of skeletal growth ("hoppering") can be seen on the terminations of some crystals. A good three-dimensional display specimen of these now classic specimens. The largest crystal measures 5 mm. Very minor roughness can be seen, so the piece is not 100% pristine, but it's close. A very attractive matrix piece of this now hard to find material. Valued at $4,000-$5,000 retail for size, quality and beautiful form. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#227 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.