Rhodochrosite (fine old classic) (ex Chet Lemanski Collection)

Item Description

The Inakuraishi Mine, according to the listing on mindat.org states that it is the largest manganese deposit in the entire country. The iconic Rhodochrosite specimens from this locality are truly eye-catching and have found their way into various collections around the world. At first glance, I honestly mistook this piece for a Colorado Rhodochrosite, possibly from the Sunnyside Mine or the Eagle Mine. It is instead an excellent display specimen from the famous Inakuraishi Mine featuring many sharp, slightly compressed rhombs of beautiful pink color Rhodochrosite measuring up to 1.2 cm sitting on minor sulfide matrix. The color of the Rhodos is actually a richer rose colored hue in the center as you can see from a few of the contacted crystals on the periphery. Virtually all of the central crystals are undamaged. The piece sits beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. A fine specimen that would make a superb addition to any worldwide Rhodochrosite suite or a collection of Japanese minerals. Valued around $1200-$1500 in today's market. From the collection of Chester ("Chet") S. Lemanski Jr. of Browns Mills, New Jersey (https://www.mindat.org/user-461.html). Collection #18190CL. The collection catalogue for this specimen mentions that it is, "A former Kristalle specimen sold by Dick Hauck (1988) to Dr. Eugene E. Sensel & from his collection (#M505)". 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.