Mica / Sericite pseudomorph after Cordierite-Indialite ("Cherry Blossom") (RARE MATRIX piece) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

Here we have a wonderful classic specimen of the elusive "cherry blossom" pseudomorphs from Kameoka City. These specimens are pseudomorphs of silvery-golden Muscovite Mica (variety "Sericite") replacing attractive trapiche habit Cordierite-Indialite crystals. The two species are dimorphous, and Indialite forms at higher temperatures, which is why we see the hexagonal dark lines of the pseudomorphs (Indialite), which eventually cooled down and became the lighter colored Cordierite in between. The form creates a very beautiful pattern, not unlike trapiche Corundum or Beryl with a radial hexagonal shape, sometimes referred to as a "sakura ishi" (cherry blossom stones). This name has a bit of a confusing history, because it was originally described by Kikuchi as "Cerasite" which was the name for the trapiche habit of Cordierite, and perhaps coincidentally lead to confusion about the origin of the name for Sericite. The majority of these pseudomorphs measure about 5 - 6 mm across, and weather typically out of hornfels, so they're rarely seen on matrix. THIS PIECE is an exceptionally rare matrix example of this classic material, and the pseudomorphs have excellent form with sharp internal lines. The largest pseudomorph measures 6 mm across, which is good sized for the material. As far as I know there is only one locality for this material in the world, and pieces with sharp defined form like this are few and far between. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #18079CL. 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.