Berthierite - important display specimen

Item Description

Stunning 360 degree single crystallized spray loaded with hundreds of acicular prismatic crystals of the rare sulfide mineral Berthierite from the Herja Mine. This mine has produced unquestionably the finest Berthierites in the world and this one is exquisite! They came out in the 1980s-1990s although we suspected some were mined earlier. Most are gray to dull but the best have a natural sparkle and stunning color pattern, as this. The crystals form a dramatic three dimensional cone with lustrous metallic dark gray crystals that are less than a millimeter wide but with fans to 7.9 cm long. The showstopper for the piece is the superb iridescence. The magnitude, balance and uniform coverage of the iridescence is first-rate. The color flashes of blue, purple, red, gold, and green are phenomenal and appear to be magnified by the large areas of flash. The Berthierite is just an enthralling piece exhibiting different colorscapes with every change of viewing angle or light source. Near the top and running part way down the back is an accent of contrasting clear to white microcrystalline Calcite. The best description for this specimen is memorable! Ex. Kurt Hefendehl Collection. Not only is this a major display specimen of the species, but it is the right size for most of us, and gorgeous. Valued $6000-7500.