Conichalcite

This striking and colourful cabinet specimen from the renowned Ojuela Mine in Mapimí, Durango, Mexico, features lustrous, bubbly botryoidal aggregates of grass-green conichalcite fully lining a vug and extending across the adjacent walls of a sturdy, sculptural, elongate limonite matrix. The vibrant, botryoidal crystal groups of conichalcite exhibit a glowing green hue, making this a particularly showy and attractive example from this classic locality.

The display side is in excellent condition, with no visible damage, the back shows some minor malachite and cerussite (or calcite?). This fine specimen likely dates to the major 1970s discovery at the Ojuela Mine, a period that produced many of the best-known conichalcite specimens from the locality.

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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.