Astrophyllite (var: Magnesian) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

A rarely seen specimen of Magnesian Astrophyllite from the Khibiny Massif in Russia. Semi-foliated, golden-bronze colored crystals can be seen on the open exposure of the specimen. Typically Astrophyllite is more of a reddish-brown hue, but I assume that the magnesium content gives the Astrophyllite more of the golden hue. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #4116CL. 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.