Smithsonite on Coronadite (classic material)

Item Description

Here we have a rarely seen cabinet sized display specimen of the classic and now incredibly hard to find Smithsonites from the famous Broken Hill Mine in Australia. This locality is one of the greatest mines in the history of mineral collecting, producing a large number of fine quality, beautiful crystallized mineral specimens. This piece is a classic example of the famous Smithsonites from Broken Hill, featuring a coverage of gemmy/translucent, white/colorless, semi-spherical aggregates measuring up to 1.0 cm across, with a velvety/resinous luster sitting atop contrasting black Coronadite matrix. VERY little damage can be seen, as virtually all of the Smithsonites are unblemished, which is quite remarkable for a piece this size. A remarkable and highly desirable showy specimen of this renowned material from this prolific locality. Valued at $5,000 in our inventory. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#195 A), 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.