Fibrous Tremolite (Asbestiform var.) *one of five in bag

Please note: This listing is for one of the five specimens in the baggie. Not all five.

This impressive, elongated specimen consists of a dense, parallel aggregate of white, fibrous tremolite, displaying a strongly bladed to splintery habit typical of amphibole asbestos. The fibres are tightly packed and aligned, giving the piece a solid, woody feeling rather than the soft, silky texture seen in serpentine-group asbestos. The specimen is well preserved as a single, substantial mass and represents a classic example of fibrous tremolite from this historic Québec locality.

The piece originates from the Normandie Mine in Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine, within the well-known asbestos-producing region of the Chaudière-Appalaches, Québec. This area forms part of the Appalachian ophiolite belt, where serpentinized ultramafic rocks host a variety of fibrous minerals including chrysotile and amphiboles such as tremolite. Fibrous tremolite from these deposits is less commonly encountered in large, coherent masses such as this.

Of particular note is the provenance: this specimen comes from the collection of noted collector Peter Tarassoff and was collected by him in 1965. The specimen retains its original identification history, having been examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). For safety and preservation, the specimen is kept sealed in plastic to prevent the release of fine fibrous material. It should remain enclosed and handled accordingly.

A substantial and historically significant example of fibrous tremolite from one of Canada’s classic mineral localities.