Large Arsenopyrite, Ferberite, Apatite, etc. (Zerfass Coll.)

Item Description

Impressive, very rich, sculptural large two-sided combination material from the renowned Panasqueira Mines. The front of the undulating piece is dramatically covered with lustrous, sharp, bronzy arsenopyrite crystals, including a spectacular 5.4 cm long elongated cluster of tabular "cockscomb" crystals. The impressive large crystal above it is 5.0 cm and also has some cockscomb features. Lustrous, black ferberite crystals on the lower front and on the left side add contrast. Most of the matrix on the front is covered with tiny lustrous, translucent, rosettes of thin, tabular siderite rhombs. A MAJOR surprise on one side is a super-sharp pseudomorph of tan siderite after a 2.0 cm, doubly terminated, hexagonal fluorapatite crystal! The distinctively different siderite coating the back hosts another striking larger, 2.8 x 2.5 cm section of a siderite pseudomorphed apatite crystal. There are also scattered small gemmy hexagonal apatite crystals on the sides, as a further accessory. A most impressive, excellent and surprising large classic combination from this famed locale and the Paul Zerfass Collection # 444.