Siderite with Smithsonite and Pyrite

Item Description

This specimen is labeled as coming from "Chongyi, Jiangxi Provinz" in China in Kurt's collection catalogue, and I can't find an exact listing where these species have been reported in this county, so we're leaving it as is. This piece features attractive "rose"-esque groups of thin bladed tan colored Siderite, associated with metallic gold Pyrite in small cubes and minor "druses" associated with off-white "balls" of Smithsonite, sitting on some kind of micaceous matrix. An odd association piece for sure, unlike anything I can remember seeing from any Chinese locality. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#534 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.