Sphalerite (fine crystals) with Calcite

Item Description

A very attractive Sphalerite specimen from Dalnegorsk featuring stacked groups of very sharp, highly lustrous, tightly intergrown dark black crystals of Sphalerite forming somewhat spherical groups, associated with little silvery colored scalenohedral crystals of Calcite, and some small beige colored Quartz crystals, free of matrix. The back of the piece features some minor brassy Chalcopyrite. The Sphalerite groups are in superb condition, and the only damage is on the back where the piece was separated from the pocket wall. The Nikolaevskiy Mine is well-known for its sulfide specimens, but this particular style is quite rare in my experience. Very attractive in person and fine quality. Valued $1,200.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#328 R), 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 through our various platforms.