Quartz (doubly-terminated ''Fenster'' crystal) on matrix

Item Description

Specimens from the San Lino Open Pit in Spain are notably hard to find on the market, and this piece is the best one we've had to offer in the auctions. The piece features a very sharp, highly lustrous, slightly smoky colored doubly-terminated crystal, sitting aesthetically on matrix. For reference, not only are specimens rare to find from this locality, but matrix specimens are exceedingly rare in my experience. Several of the pyramidal faces on the piece show distinct negative or skeletal growth which is sometimes referred to as a "window" or "Fenster" habit, but the prism faces notably smooth by contrast.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#48 S), 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.