This specimen consists of red-brown masses associated with aegirine, feldspar, and nepheline, the latter exhibiting grey, glassy masses with a greasy lustre. Dr. Tarassoff acquired this piece from John Albanese in New Jersey in 1964. The mineral was first described by Scheerer in 1847, originating from the renowned locality near Barkevik, Langesundsfjord, Vestfold, Norway.
This historical reference highlights the significance of the mineral in the context of early mineralogical discoveries from this classic Norwegian site, known for yielding exceptional specimens. The combination of rare minerals in this piece adds further appeal for collectors interested in complex mineral assemblages.
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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 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.
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