Franklin Mine Specimen – Rich Esperite, Hardystonite, Willemite

Species: Esperite, Hardystonite, WillemiteEx. Joe Swartz CollectionLocality: Franklin mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New JerseyDimension: 4 x 2.1 x 4.2 cm Weight: 58 gramsVery rich, bright esperite specimen with minor hardystonite and willemite from Franklin! Rare! Joe Swartz collected worldwide minerals over many decades, but his most renowned specialty was the Franklin and Sterling Hill Mine collection pieces. Although Joe Swartz was not very well known in the mineral community, for many years he had traveled to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show and stayed for the duration acting as a “dealer helper” to those who knew him. This allowed him to amass a sizable collection featuring many rare and obscure minerals and corresponding localities. Most notable for the New Jersey suite, however, Joe did not purchase these for the most part. Instead he had either field collected, traded, or acquired them directly as part of his mining career, working for close to 30 years in the New Jersey mines. This collection contains 2 parts: A systematic suite of 88 pieces, and a fluorescent display suite of 35 pieces. We are proud to be offering the Swartz collection in it's entirety here on our eBay store! p.p1