Fluorite (classic New England locality) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

Wise Mine Fluorites are incredibly well-known around New England, but they are rarely seen on the market these days. These specimens are renowned for the excellent form, size, rich color and gemminess. This piece features a good quality, strong emerald color octahedron of Fluorite with partial surface etching and excellent internal gemminess. The crystal is gemmy enough that it could yield a very good sized gemstone - conservatively 100 carats - which priced at a mere $20 per carat could be valued at $2,000. The piece is complete on the display side, but it's not complete on the back. There is a small etching indentent along the right side leading up to the termination, but it's not damage, just an unusual growth / formation. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #7290CL. 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.