Sphalerite coated by Pyrite on Quartz

Item Description

An interesting association specimen featuring pseudo-octahedral crystals of Sphalerite measuring up to 2.2 cm, which has a selective micro coating of pale golden metallic Pyrite, sitting on Quartz matrix. If you look on the back, you can see the exposed Sphalerite crystals without the coating where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. Certainly unusual, I can't remember seeing one quite like it from any Peruvian locality. From the collection of Kurt Hefendehl, 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.