Bismuthinite & Quartz (Cilen & Lemanski Coll.)

Item Description

Mineral specimens from this less well-known polymetallic Bolivian mining district are relatively rare. A sculptural vug in the large laminated shale matrix is attractively filled with splendent metallic Bismuthinite blades and sections and sparkly contrasting drusy quartz. Some of the blades are curved, adding character. Bismuthinite, Bi-sulfide, is a member of the Stibnite Group and resembles stibnite. Formerly in the Joe Cilen Collection, a well-known New Jersey collector who accumulated an over 23,000 piece collection. His number is on the piece, 10, 277. He passed away in 1997. Read about Joe in the Mineralogical Record Biographical Archive at: https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/cilenjoe/. Ex Chet Lemanski Collection and acquired in 1999. The Bismuthinite was incorrectly identified as Stibnite by both Joe and Chet. MINDAT lists Bismuthinite with photos, but not Stibnite from the locale. The piece has several rich display views of this rare combination.