Grossular (var. Hessonite)

The face of this specimen features three intergrown, lustrous peach-orange grossular (hessonite) garnets perched on a sparkly, black-coated matrix. The Jeffrey Mine is a classic and highly regarded locality for grossular garnet, with its specimens prized for their exceptional lustre and sharply defined striations.

This piece is a fine miniature example of the renowned material that once emerged from the now-closed Jeffrey Mine in Val-des-Sources (formerly Asbestos), Québec. The open-pit chrysotile asbestos mine—once among the largest in the world—measured approximately 2 kilometers in diameter and reached a depth of 350 meters. Mining operations began in 1879, and by 1969, the pit’s expansion required relocation of part of the nearby town. Global demand for asbestos plummeted in the 1980s following its classification as a carcinogen, ultimately leading to the mine’s closure in 2001. Since then, the site has remained inactive, making specimens from this locality increasingly scarce.

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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.