Two crystals of Mn rich Willemite (Troostite) in Calcite collected by Wallace Gould Levison in 1889. While the Troostite variety of Willemite is only known from the Franklin and Sterling mines, this specimen was actually collected in Jersey City, New Jersey at the Zinc Works there. It was found in a load of Zinc ore transported from Franklin to the smelter there, so this is unique, being probably the only Troostite that was not collected from Franklin. The Willemite crystals are a brick red color, well-formed though with typical slightly crude edges up to 3.1 CM. We will include a photocopy of the handwritten ledger from the Levison collection. Levison was a prolific 19th century collector located in Brooklyn who became very interested in the fluorescent minerals of Franklin. He invented and patented a specimen viewing box for shortwave UV light in 1909. A nice specimen with a great provenance.
Willemite -red to pink crystal in Calcite
stock #AX-12-581
Franklin Mine, Franklin Mining District, Sussex County
New Jersey,
United States
6.2 x 4.2 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $285
Spring 2017
A nice classic Franklin, New Jersey Willemite crystal well exposed on Calcite. Vivid fluorescence, sharp prism faces and not acid etched out of the matrix (which was usually done but looks melted and is less desirable). The crystal is typically crude and slightly rounded on some edges with natural cracks but no repairs.
Choice, bright blue transparent to translucent Willemite clusters covering matrix. Several have well-formed crystals in stacks and isolated prisms. Some areas of Duftite provides a nice contrast. Excellent "wet look" luster, this is in fine condition.
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