Hopeite (classic material)

Item Description

A beautiful classic specimen of Hopeite (hydrated zinc phosphate) from the famous Kabwe Mine (formerly referred to as Broken Hill) in Zambia. This miniature specimen hosts many sharp, well-formed, orthorhombic crystals measuring up to 6 mm. The crystals have a muted orange-brown hue, a signature color for the locality. Nearly all of the crystals are undamaged, though a few small contacts can be seen. This piece was mined circa 1960s-1970s, and no more will ever be found. The finest crystals of Hopeite come from this locality and they are 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 #17703CL and originally from Dick Hauck. 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.