Fluorapatite with Arsenopyrite on Quartz

Item Description

A beautiful and highly aesthetic association specimen from the more contemporary mining at Panasqueira featuring groups of light purple, lustrous, translucent hexagonal crystal group of Fluorapatite measuring 1.4 cm across, with metallic silvery-grey, thick, "stepped" groups of Arsenopyrite measuring up to 2.1 cm along with minor tan colored compressed rhombic crystals of Siderite dramatically perched atop white/colorless Quartz prisms. These Apatites are arguably are without question singular in their appearance, as there really isn't anywhere else where Apatite looks like this. I can't find any major damage anywhere on the display side of specimen, but contacted on the back where it was separated from the pocket wall. The piece shows faint fluorescence under UV light as well. A showy, fine quality and just plain pretty display specimen of what are some of the most famous Apatites from anywhere. Valued $2,500.
From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#22 Pa), 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 through our various platforms.