Specimens of Galena crystals from the Ballard Mine, Baxter Springs, Kansas. Large crystals are 2.5 in. Area schools have taken advantage of the collection for field trips to help children understand geology, local and regional history, and the role that fluorspar plays in industry. Most of the commercial fluorspar used in the U.S. today is now mined in China with smaller amounts imported from Mexico and South Africa. Fluorine is considered the most active of all of the elements.
Fluorspar is a source of hydrofluoric acid used in many industrial applications.
Fluorspar based chemicals are used in the manufacturing of plastics, refrigerants, toothpaste, lens coatings, and a variety of other consumer and industrial products. A small sampling of UV specimens from Franklin, NJ is on show here. Mr. Clement's collection consists of approximately 3500 pieces of UV specimens. For years, the collection was housed at the Clement home, where Mr. Clement frequently gave personalized tours for scientists and students who specifically sought him out to study the collection. After Clement's death, his family started looking for a way to share the outstanding collection and the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum was formed.