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Danalite/Genthelvite Series

Name: Danalite/Genthelvite Series
SKU: 32565-PT
Availability: OutOfStock

32565-PT Category: _Archives –specimens pending sale or deletion

Route 121 Rd cut, Grants Mills, Rhode Island

USA

Dimensions: 8.8x6.1x3.8 cm

Price: CA

Danalite is part of the Helvine group and forms a series with genthelvite, all of which form in tetrahedral crystals. Though this mineralization can be found widespread, it is next to impossible to obtain. This piece originates from the scarcely seen locality at Grants Mills in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Genthelvite was discovered by Frederick August Ludwig Karl Wilhelm Genth, a German-American mineralogist who originally described the zinc-rich helvite, and was later named after him. Danalite, another member of the helvine group, is of course named after James Dwight Dana, a pivotal figure in mineralogy who created the Dana System of Mineralogy. This specimen is mostly cleavage, with small patches showing faces and one 2.4cm crystal face on the side. Under UV there is a bit of a green in the crystal, the calcite matrix glows pink, with patches of very bright yellow from an unknown mineral. The matrix is also peppered with purple fluorite near and around the main crystal formation. A very interesting piece of material!

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This specimen comes from the collection of 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, Dr. Peter Tarassoff 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.

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