Diopside, Grossular

This specimen comes from the historic Orford Nickel Mine in Quebec, Canada’s first nickel mine and one of the earliest in North America. Initially explored as a copper prospect in 1860, the site transitioned to nickel production in the late 1870s, with active mining from 1877 to 1882, though output remained limited. The deposit occurs in a calcite vein at the contact between serpentinized peridotite and volcanic rock, producing exceptional specimens of diopside, chrome-bearing green grossular, orange grossular, and millerite.

This particular specimen consists of gemmy, prismatic green diopside crystals and dark green grossular microcrystals, creating a striking, sparkling display. The matrix consists of beige diopside. Likely collected in the 1960s or 1970s, this piece is a testament to the mine’s legacy, as its remarkable mineral specimens remain highly sought after by collectors.