Andalusite (var: Chiastolite) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

A cool old-time specimen of Chiastolite, which is defined as a variety of Andalusite with cross-shaped inclusions of carbon. There are many localities around the world where this material is found, and some of the most famous pieces from the United States are those from New England. This piece is listed as coming from Sterling, Massachusetts in Chet's collection catalogue, and the piece is described as, "A classic specimen of a polished crystal section with a sharp brown and black pattern." A beautiful example of this classic material, seldom seen in today's market. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #2162CL. Chet was born 1947 in started collecting minerals circa 1957. He worked briefly as a drill runner at the famous Sterling Mine, in Ogdensburg, New Jersey and from 1987 to 1990 he helped convert the mine into a public access mining museum. He has held the role of treasurer, vice president and president of the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society (FOMS), and has been a board member and vice president of the Franklin Mineral Museum. The rare copper arsenate, Lemanskiite was named in his honor in 1999.