Emmonsite

Emmonsite is a rare hydrated iron tellurite mineral that forms in the oxidized zones of tellurium-bearing ore bodies. Some of the finest known examples come from the Moctezuma Mine in Sonora, Mexico—an extinct gold-tellurium deposit renowned for its remarkable suite of secondary tellurium minerals. This specimen features a quartz matrix with a couple of small vugs that contain numerous bright green spherical aggregates and radiating clusters of emmonsite, best appreciated under high magnification. Also present are a few light lilac-coloured crystals within the quartz, which may possibly be spiroffite; however, this identification is unconfirmed and remains speculative. Overall, the specimen is a fine representative of this rare mineral from a classic 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.