Arsenopyrite with Siderite

Item Description

A showy example of the excellent Arsenopyrites from Panasqueira, which has produced some of the finest crystals of the species in the world. This attractive small cabinet features fine, sharp, lustrous, silvery colored layered groups of Arsenopyrite that measure up to 4.7 cm long, in diverging formations, which are highlighted by tan Siderite, that ranges from a thin "druse" to blocky hexagonal crystals on the back which measure up to 2.3 cm across. The piece is nearly a "floater", as it's largely crystallized all over, with only a small point of attachment on the back that I can see. Additionally, there is a rounded dark brass colored Chalcopyrite crystal on the back for a nice touch. No major damage and very graceful and eye-catching.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#15 Po), 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 over the next two to three years through our various platforms.