Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite nodule (RARE & unusual Ukraine) Lemanski Coll.

Item Description

A UNIQUE and most exotic large alluvial cobble of Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite from a very obscure Ukraine locality. The smooth lustrous river-worn cobble is dramatically covered with striking sculptural florets of gray Carbonate-rich Fluorapatite plates ("leaves"). Ex Chet Lemanski Collection and acquired from Exotic Minerals of Russia in 2004 (a business set up by Fersman Museum curator for selling deaccesions of the museum, Dr. Dmitriy Belakovskiy, so you know it is accurate). According to Chet's catalogue, these cobbles were used as cannon/mortar rounds in past wars. Strange, but possible I suppose. This was an important phosphate source for a long time, and miend heavily for the material. Hefty, VERY RARE and showy apatite at 1107 grams mass.