SOLD

Cryolite

Name: Cryolite
SKU: 32475-PT
Availability: OutOfStock

32475-PT Category: _Archives –specimens pending sale or deletion

Francon Quarry, Saint-Michel dist., Montreal, Quebec

Canada

Dimensions: 3.5x6.0x4.0 cm

Largest crystal size: 6 mm

Price: CA

This specimen features numerous well-formed, pale-yellow pseudo-dipyramidal cryolite crystals with glassy, iridescent faces. These crystals range from perfectly colourless to those with a pale sulfur-yellow core. One cluster of intergrown cryolite measures 10mm. The cryolite crystals line much of the cavity and fluoresce under UV illumination. Scattered metallic marcasite crystals are also present, along with some strontianite and blades of colourless elpidite.

Collected by Les Horvath in 1975 from the Francon Quarry in central Montreal, this specimen exemplifies the exceptional mineralogical diversity of this site. The Francon Quarry, known for its alkalic intrusive sill in limestone, ceased operations in 1981 and will never reopen, making specimens from this location particularly rare and valuable to collectors.

--

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 and the Mineralogical Society of America for over 30 years. Additionally, Peter has volunteered at the Redpath Museum for the past 21 years. In recognition of his significant contributions to mineralogy, Peter was awarded the 2017 Pinch Medal by the Mineralogical Association of Canada.

Peter's dedication to systematic collecting, curating his collection, and maintaining an archive of detailed historical and scientific information has greatly benefited the mineral sciences community both in Canada and globally. All specimens from this collection come with the original P. Tarassoff collection label.

Note: All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). International customers are charged in CAD, exchange rate is calculated automatically by your bank/paypal upon checkout.

1 2 Next »