Sphalerite (twin) on Arsenopyrite (ex Francesco Bedogne Collection)

Item Description

An attractive and classic sulfide association specimen from this famous locale which dates back to the late Middle Ages. Intergrown, lustrous, silvery, blocky prismatic crystals of Arsenopyrite play host to a beautifully well-formed, sharp, VERY lustrous, jet-black "Spinel"-twinned Sphalerite measuring 2.0 cm. You can see minor associated Quartz on the piece for a nice touch. Great quality all around, and showy for the material. These are not easy to find on the market anymore. Certainly worth adding to a European suite of minerals or a worldwide sulfide collection. Valued at $900. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #80). Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute.