Spinel var: Pleonaste (classic material)

Item Description

These classic Russian Spinel crystals are instantly recognizable for their excellent form and larger than average size. In terms of crystal morphology, these are some of the best Spinel crystals you'll see, as they often feature multiple crystal habits, and they're not micros! This piece features a handful of rather lustrous jet-black (this variety is called Pleonaste) crystals measuring up to 2.2 cm, featuring predominantly octahedral faces with dodecahedral and trapezohedral modifications, sitting on matrix. The faces are smooth and distinct, and despite some roughness in some areas, they are largely in very good shape. These Spinels are not commonly seen for sale on the market today, and you typically can only find them in old comprehensive collections. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#334 Ru), 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. WWe at The Arkenstone have the privilege of offering the remainder of this great worldwide collection over the coming months and years through our various platforms.