Lazulite (excellent twinned crystal) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

Graves Mountain is famous for its superb Rutile crystals, but it also produced some wonderful and unique Lazulite crystals as well. The defining characteristic of these Lazulite crystals is that many of them are actually twinned, which is rarely observed in the species outside of this locality. This toenail sized specimen hosts an excellent, very sharp, rich blue colored pyramidal twin crystal of Lazulite measuring 1.6 cm sitting on contrasting white quartzite matrix. What makes this crystal so desirable is that the color is a consistent deep saturated blue (no blotchiness or pastel hues), and the faces of the crystal are notably smooth, defined and well-formed. Many crystals from this locality often look "weathered" and have a rough surface texture, but the crystal is far superior by comparison. The bottom of the crystal unfortunately is contacted, but the terminated end is in fine shape. Overall, it's one of the best examples of this material that we've had to offer in the auctions, and would make a great addition to any suite of worldwide phosphates, twinned crystals or minerals specifically from Graves Mountain. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #16959CL. The piece was acquired in April of 1991 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.