Cerussite

This cerussite specimen originates from the renowned Bunker Hill Mine in Idaho, a prolific lead-zinc-silver mine that operated for over a century before closing in 1988. While the mine is best known for producing some of the finest pyromorphite specimens in the Western Hemisphere, it also yielded a limited number of cerussite specimens, which are now quite hard to find. This piece, dating from the late 1970s to early 1980s, features many glassy, twinned, translucent colourless cerussite crystals.

Though minor roughness is present, the specimen remains in very good condition, particularly given its rarity as a large-matrix example from this locality. Additionally, it exhibits light yellow fluorescence, under UV light. With the mine long closed, specimens like this are seldom seen on the market.

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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.