Carletonite

This attractive "toenail" sized specimen showcases the characteristic colouration of carletonite, with a white periphery that quickly grades into the classic indigo-blue hue. While the crystal is mostly massive and displays cleavage along the sides, hoppered faces are visible on the top, this is fairly typical for the species. Carletonite, a complex silicate containing carbonate, is unique to the Poudrette Quarry at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec—one of the most mineralogically diverse localities in the world. This piece represents a fine example of a rare and highly sought-after mineral, emblematic of this world-class deposit.

Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, is regarded as one of the most mineralogically diverse sites in the world, having produced hundreds of rare and unique mineral species, many in world-class specimens. Once open to field collectors, the quarry is now strictly controlled and completely off-limits, making specimens like this increasingly difficult to acquire. This piece is a significant and desirable example of the exceptional mineralogical richness that made Mont Saint-Hilaire so famous.

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This specimen comes from the collection of Dr. Peter Tarassoff, a prominent figure in mineralogy, particularly known for his work at Mont Saint-Hilaire (MSH). His diligent collecting and examination efforts have led him to be the first to identify at least 35 species and discover 12 new species, not only at MSH but also at other alkaline localities. Dubbed the "Dean" of Mont Saint-Hilaire collectors, Peter was honoured with the naming of the new species petarasite in 1980. He has authored or co-authored numerous mineralogical articles and has been a member of the Mineralogical Association of Canada since 1964. Additionally, Peter has volunteered at the Redpath Museum for the past 21 years, where he was formally appointed the Honorary Curator of Mineralogy. In recognition of his significant contributions to mineralogy, Peter was awarded the 2017 Pinch Medal.