Strengite (unusual color) on Beraunite (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

Strengite specimens from the Leveäniemi Mine in Sweden are European classics, but this piece is a slight departure from the norm as the color is different than what we're used to seeing. Typically, the Strengites from this locality are a purple to lavender hue, but the "balls" on this specimen have a notable soft pinkish-white color, which according to Chet Lemanski's collection catalogue, is due to the presence of aluminum (aluminoan Strengite). The Strengite spheres measure up to about 2 mm across and are best seen under magnification. The matrix is composed of a layer of dense lead-grey colored Hematite which plays host to dark black-green colored groups of Beraunite, upon which the Strengites sit. I've seen a fair number of Strengites from the Leveäniemi Mine over the years, but this one is notably different, and it's a must have specimen for any fan of phosphates or simply unusually colored mineral specimens. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #15127CL. 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.