Ruby (old classic) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

These ancient marble quarries date back to 500 BCE, and are located on the southwestern slopes of Sivec mountain, about 8 km NNE of Prilep (https://www.mindat.org/loc-159397.html). They have produced some of the most recognizable Ruby and Sapphire crystals from any locality in Europe. This particular specimen is a sharp, well-formed, thick hexagonal Ruby crystal with a fine purplish-pink hue. No damage, but there is a some incomplete growth in a few areas on the front, and the back. These are rarely seen on the market, so if you collect gem minerals, thumbnails or European classics, do not miss out on this one. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #10056CL. 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.