Muscovite (var: Fuchsite) (large rich specimen) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

A big, impressive, richly colored specimen of the chromium-bearing variety of Muscovite, Fuchsite. Years ago, Fuchsite used to be a valid species, but now is reserved for the greenish variety of Muscovite (most often chromium or vanadium bearing). This piece features a thick mass of eye-catching foliated, green bladed crystals of Fuchsite with an metallic appearance / luster. Some of the crystals are actually fairly gemmy, and if you rotate the piece around, you'll see a few pinkish colored Ruby crystals sprinkled about! You never see pieces of this size and quality on the market, and if you're a fan of Mica species, Brazilian minerals, or fine quality, beautifully colored display specimens, don't pass this one up! From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #22704CL. 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.