Sphalerite with Pyrite and "Japan-Law" Twinned Quartz

Item Description

A dramatic and highly aesthetic old-time Peruvian sulfide specimen dating back to the 1970s-1980s era of mining in Huarón. This piece features a group of dark metallic black Sphalerite with well-defined faces and good crystal form measuring 5.0 cm across, associated with a sculptural flowing group comprising dozens of metallic golden cubic Pyrite crystals. Additionally there are TWO beautiful GEM QUALITY "Japan-Law" Twinned Quartz crystals which can be seen among the many colorless, prismatic Quartz crystal matrix. If you look closely at the Sphalerite group, you can see it is partially intermixed with brassy, iridescent Chalcopyrite, creating a very pleasing effect. The piece can be displayed from several angles, depending on whether you want to highlight the Sphalerite group or the Pyrite cluster, and it honestly looks great no matter how you choose to display it. No major damage I can see anywhere, and it's a truly distinctive specimen that stands out among the many that were found in this area over the years. You don't often see isolated groups of Sphalerite and Pyrite like this on matrix, which are both defined and distinctive in their appearance/form and their positioning on the specimen. The fact that both minerals are well-spaced on the piece and not tightly intergrown is uncommon, and gives the piece is a character that is rarely seen in this material. These are true classics from Peru, and some of the best crystallized examples of these well-known sulfides ever found.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#37 P), 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 for the coming months/years through our various platforms.