very large Fluorescent Willemite, Calcite & Franklinite

Item Description

Exceptional, VERY RARE, large 3-color fluorescent, 4 species ore specimen from the famed Sterling Mine. Documented specimens from the North Ore Body at Sterling Hill are extremely rare, as the MINDAT Photo Gallery features NO examples. One side of this hefty sculptural 360-degree zinc ore piece features lustrous granular "golden" Sphalerite (Reddish-Orange fluorescence) intermixed with pods of reddish-brown Willemite (Neon-Green fluorescence), off-white Calcite (very faint Pink or no fluorescence) and black Franklinite. The other two sides are distinctively different, as they are mostly reddish-brown Willemite with pods of Calcite and Franklinite. Sphalerite normally does not fluoresce, but at Sterling Hill, it can. Ex Chet Lemanski Collection and acquired at the Franklin Mineral Museum in 1997 (he was on the board and also helped develop the mine and property for the museum project, so he had unique access). A SUPERB combination rarity from Sterling Hill. Mass is 4062 grams or 8.9 pounds. This is a very important large fluorescent specimen from this classic locale.