Fluorapatite with Rhodochrosite and Quartz

Item Description

It's uncanny how the Wutong Mine matches the paragenesis and associations from the famous Sweet Home Mine in Colorado. That's not to say the actual appearance of the specimens is identical, but I think it's truly noteworthy to have two localities that are so similar to each other in this respect. This piece features a few attractive purple color, striated, prismatic hexagonal crystals of Fluorapatite measuring up to 9 mm, which are associated with compressed tabular soft pink crystals of Rhodochrosite measuring up to 1.6 cm, sitting among prismatic, white/colorless Quartz crystals, sitting on sulfide (Pyrite/Sphalerite/Galena) matrix. While the color and habits of the Apatite and Rhodochrosite are different than what you'd find in the Sweet Home Mine, they are still quite similar in terms of the associations. A cool piece from an older find at this mine, and the purple color of the Apatite crystals is highly sought after for the locality. Valued at $1,250-$1,500. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl (#49 C), 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.