Realgar with Pharmacolite and Calcite (ex Franceso Bedogne Collection)

Shimen Mine, Shimen Co., Changde Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Small Cabinet, 9.3 x 7.8 x 5.7 cm
Start Time: 07/06/2017 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 07/13/2017 6:47:46 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

Arguably the finest quality Realgar crystals in the world are found at the Shimen Mine. The size combined with the electric red color makes them very popular with collectors. This specimen hosts fine quality, sharp, lustrous, good sized, gemmy, intensely red crystals of Realgar measuring up to 2.5 cm which are associated with white radial "sprays" of Pharmacolite and some very gemmy, sharp, lustrous, well-formed, "smoky" colored scalenohedra of Calcite measuring up to 3.1 cm on matrix. These Realgar crystals are amongst the most beautiful red crystals in the mineral kingdom. Please keep in mind that they are very light-sensitive and turn dark over time when exposed to light! Very little damage, and so showy. It was hard to photograph, but the quality of the both the Realgar and the Calcite is very good for the locality. A showy, three-dimensional and colorful display specimen from this contemporary classic locality. Valued at $1800. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #39). 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.

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