Diopside, Albite

This specimen features sprays of grey, curved acicular diopside crystals, accompanied by globular aggregates of tiny, parallel white platy albite crystals. The specimen hails from the renowned Jeffrey Mine in Val-des-Sources (formerly known as Asbestos), Quebec—a site that has long been closed. The Jeffrey Mine, an open-pit chrysotile asbestos mine, was a significant industrial site, measuring approximately 2 kilometers in diameter and reaching a depth of 350 meters.

Mining operations at the Jeffrey Mine began in 1879, and by 1969, the pit's expansion was so extensive that it necessitated the relocation of the adjacent town. However, global demand for asbestos sharply declined in the 1980s due to the widespread recognition of its carcinogenic properties and the subsequent international bans on its use as a building material. Despite its historical importance, the mine eventually exhausted its financial resources and ceased operations in 2001.*

Specimens from the Jeffrey Mine, particularly of this quality, have become increasingly rare since its closure, making them highly sought after by collectors. This particular specimen has a notable provenance, having been purchased by Dr. Tarassoff from Frank Melanson at the Montreal Gem Show in 1973.

*https://www.mindat.org/loc-581.html

--