2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas #5110 June 2nd at 12 pm CT Auction Info | View Lots

Natural History, Session 2 June 2 at 4:00 PM CT Part of Auction #5110 View Lots

We are proud to bring you this preview glimpse of the Hoppel Collection — one of the largest, finest, and most significant mineral collections to be brought to auction. Unveiled at the recent 2013 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, the Hoppel Collection was greeted with amazement. This hidden treasure was the talk of the show — the overwhelming magnitude of the collection stopped people in their tracks.

The Hoppel Collection, assembled during the 1990s and early 2000s by a wealthy industrialist, remained hidden from public view in a private museum. It consists of an astonishing 2,000+ specimens — the breadth and scope of which is unparalleled. There are unique world-class, one-of-a-kind museum level specimens, aesthetic examples from classic localities, historic specimens, fine crystals and gems, rare species, and unusual localities. Never has such a unique assemblage been offered at auction — and nearly all of it at no reserve. This is an opportunity for collectors and dealers alike to obtain specimens in an open and transparent forum.

There is such a wealth of specimens that the collection will be presented in a series of Signature® and Internet auctions during 2013 and 2014. The first Signature Auction will take place in Dallas on Sunday, June 2, 2013.

Should you have any questions about the contents of the collection, please don't hesitate to contact us. We hope that you will be as intrigued and excited by the Hoppel Collection as we are and join us at the auctions!

Highlights of the First Hoppel Auction Include
Rhodochrosite Sweet Home Mine, Alma Dist., Park Co., Colorado 11.5 x 5 inches (29.2 x 12.7 cm) Estimate: $150,000+		Linarite Blanchard Mine, Bingham, Hansonburg Dist. Socorro Co., New Mexico 2.75 x 2 inches (7 x 5 cm) with largest crystal 1 inch (2.5 cm) long Estimate: $30,000+
Native Gold Eagle's Nest Mine, Placer Co., California 5.5 x 4 inches (14 x 10.2 cm) Estimate: $30,000+	Apophyllite on Stilbite The Snow Angel Momin Akhada, Ahmadnagar Dist., Maharashtra, India 10.5 x 8 inches (26.7 x 20.3 cm) Estimate: $15,000+	Aquamarine Medina, Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil 9 x 1.5 inches (23 x 4 cm) Estimate: $150,000+ Exceptional gem crystal from the iconic 1997 find.	Stibnite Lubilhac, Haute-Loire, Auvergne, France 8.5 x 5 inches (21.6 x 12.7 cm) Estimate: $25,000+ Label from London mineral dealer Samuel Henson dates specimen to 1888-1914. A very rare and exceptional Stibnite.
Pyromorphite Les Farges Mine, Ussel, Corrèze, Limousin, France 2 x 1.75 inches (5.1 x 4.4 cm) Estimate: $8,000+	Native Copper Copper crystal inside of copper vug Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan 3 x 2 inches (7.6 x 5 cm) Estimate: $5,000+	Sapphire Passara Gem Mine, Badulla, Uva Province, Sri Lanka 2 x 1.25 inches (5 x 3.2 cm) Estimate: $15,000+	Rhodochrosite N'Chwaning Mine, Kuruman, N.Cape Prov., South Africa 1.75 x 1 inches (4.4 x 2.5 cm) Estimate: $10,000+

La Madona Rosa (the Pink Madonna) is an exceptionally large and beautiful specimen of Rose Quartz bearing a strong resemblance to traditional depictions of the Virgin Mary.

The smoky Quartz "body" of the Madonna is an abstract composition of vaguely human form, bearing a multitude of scintillating surfaces. The overall effect is completed by a wide ribbon or "halo" of sparkling Rose Quartz crystals, completely outlining the body of the Madonna and enhancing the resemblance to classical statues and icons. Measuring an impressive 15.5 x 8 inches (39 x 20 cm), it towers over all other known Rose Quartz specimens and stands in a league of its own.

In the late 1950s, miners working a small mine in Brazil, found a miraculous pocket of Rose Quartz: although only six inches wide and 12 inches high, the pocket extended for 16 feet in length. It was filled with deep pink, Rose Quartz crystals draped sinuously over smoky Quartz — a unique association not seen before, or since.

The miners at "Sapucaia" (the mine's informal name because of its proximity to that town) had hit the jackpot — Rose Quartz had never been seen before this discovery. Later finds in Brazil also yielded additional Rose Quartz specimens (notably Lavra da Ilha and Alto da Pitora) but none approached the sheer size and beauty of the specimens from Lavra Berilo Branco — they became the "gold standard" for Rose Quartz. The only other major example known from this historic find, is the "Van Allen Belt" which currently resides in the Smithsonian.

Examination of La Madona Rosa's features leads to the conclusion that, in all likelihood it came from the original "Sapucaia" (Lavra Berilo Branco) discovery. But attempts to pin down the history of this particular specimen break down at a certain point. Some opine that it was produced during the original discovery of 1959 and remained hidden for decades in the collection of a Brazilian gentleman before emerging to the notice of the outside world. Another account states that it was "discovered" in Brazil in 1972 (the mine had been in sporadic operation until 1973). Whatever its origin, it was acquired by a London gemstone collector in 1972. It was sold in 1977 to a U.S. gem collector and resided in that collection for twenty years — its significance unrecognized for decades.

It surfaced at the 1997 Tucson Gem & Mineral show, where it was recognized for its considerable potential. Modern cleaning and trimming measures were performed and the end result is nothing short of spectacular. It was subsequently sold into the Hoppel Collection and held a central position in that collection — hidden from public view until now.

Enter La Madona Rosa, a 'dark horse' challenger for the title of world's finest Rose Quartz specimen since the "Van Allen Belt." The question arises: why hasn't the public heard of it before? The truth is both mysterious and also very typical.

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Note: We offer special Profit Opportunities for dealers and collectors via joint venture and partner relationships. If you know of quality objects for sale, Heritage can finance the purchase (either 50-50 or fully funded basis) and split proceeds after costs. We also offer generous Finder's Fees on auction consignments.

Celebrating the beauty and complex history of the geologic world, Minerals are a unique collectible with a remarkable association with the rise of civilization and technology. Minerals provide a unique opportunity to rediscover the ancient connection between our history and natural history. ALL other collectibles ultimately derive from this association: we believe it is only fitting that they should take their place among the works of Fine Art.

Many otherwise knowledgeable collectors are unaware that it is possible to personally possess the kind of beautiful objects previously seen only on exhibit in museums. That was not always the case: the explosion of technology and scientific research that began with the Industrial Revolution spawned numerous investigations, both professional and amateur, into the mysteries of Nature. It is these explorations, whether on foot or in the laboratory, that ultimately led to the high technology culture underpinning our modern world. Inextricably bound to the factual discoveries made by these explorers was a profound appreciation for the beauty and order contained within the subjects of their studies. It is no wonder that many of the leading researchers of this period were also passionate collectors as well, amassing private collections that form the core of the great museum collections of today.

Over the past few years Minerals, as a part of Nature, have captured the attention and imagination of a new generation initiated into the fascinating world of Nature's beauty through PBS specials, museum exhibits, and the like. That this focus seems to strike a deeply resonant chord within human society; a world all too often engrossed with artificial constructs, hype and increasingly divorced from that other, more "real" world, is undoubtedly a major part of its attraction.

The mission of the Fine Minerals Department is to make these timeless works of natural art available to that new generation responding to the call of a world, older and greater by far, than themselves: a world of truly subtle and complex beauty. In addition, it is to use our passion and our expertise to bring as many facets of that world, to a public unconsciously hungry for this kind of experience: an experience serving to re-connect us with that greater world that we are but a part of.

Fine Minerals are a rapidly growing collectible and we continue to concentrate on finding the best specimens in the world. We will work diligently to ensure that Heritage Auctions is the premier Fine Minerals option in the auction world. We are pleased to introduce Jim Walker & Mary Fong/Walker as the directors of this new and exciting area — they bring over 35 years of mineral experience to the department, including over a decade as natural history consultants to auction houses. We would also like to introduce Craig Kissick who will work with the Walkers to ensure the highest level of service and product.