Fluorite (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

A classic specimen from the earlier days of production from the Yaogangxian Mine. This piece was mined in 2002, and is a beautiful example of the material coming out at the time. The piece consists of GEMMY, beautiful blue color, modified cubic "stepped" groups of Fluorite measuring up to 2.4 cm, with very minor Pyrite and Muscovite on the back, and no matrix. Since the piece is nearly solid Fluorite, it GLOWS with color when backlit. It's actually recrystallized ("re-healed"), so the piece is close to being a complete "floater". A small amount of purple color can be seen on the lower edge of the specimen. No major damage and very attractive in person. Valued at $1,500. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #20874CL. 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.