Calcite (gemmy crystals with iron oxide "phantoms")

Item Description

I've seen a select few Calcites from this locality over the year, and most of them were either white/colorless or a light golden color, but THIS piece has distinct reddish hue from iron oxide inclusions, reminiscent of the old classic English Calcites from Egremont or Frizington in Cumbria (Cumberland). This miniature sized piece features several scalenohedral crystals, which are somewhat compressed on one axis, measuring up to 3.1 cm, sitting on minor matrix. The Calcites are rather gemmy with a clear colorless interior, but the iron oxide "phantoms" give the piece a wonderful touch of color, creating a very showy and fine quality specimen. The piece is in great shape, with no major damage I can find. A choice piece of this elusive material with a rare color for the locality. Valued $750.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#366 D), 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 foreseeable future through our various platforms.