Hematite with Quartz
Unknown Owner
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Cavradi hematites are a classic, treasured by the strahlers (alpine field collectors) who find them in Alpine mountain clefts - a fairly dangerous adventure, by the way. This is a superb small cabinet piece of excellent quality with a machined and metallic shine, color, and three-dimensional look to it. It features a cluster of at least a dozen super bright hematite crystals to 2.5 cm (1 inch) in size, all securely perched on contrasting quartz as matrix. This is an imposing piece with a huge impact for the size, that practically sparkles even in low lighting. There are three prominent clusters of crystals on the piece with two on the top showing hematites in complicated, mesmerizing growths; and then several hematite crystals accenting on the sides. All of the hematite blades have a bright silver-black, metallic luster with nicely beveled terminations/edges (more developed than most!). This is an absolute classic with excellent presentation quality. Few display so "proudly" and cleanly as this one, without repairs. It has only very tiny, trivial damage to a small section in the middle, hard to see unless you look very closely indeed. This was collected by the legendary strahler, Teo Venzin, and purchased from him by Jack (who noted this was collected in September 1986). Jack had travelled to Switzerland in 1974 and formed long lasting friendships there. Featured in the book Addicted to Beauty: The Legacy of Jack Halpern (Mineralogical Record, March 2025) on page 145, fig. 147.
Product details
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions6.0 x 5.0 x 3.7 cm
Added on12/07/2024
LocalitySwitzerland, Grisons, Cavradi gorge
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 12/2025 | Unknown Owner | $6,000.00 |
| — | The Arkenstone | Not disclosed |
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