Heulandite

Heulandite, along with stilbite, is one of the most widespread zeolite group minerals found in the Bay of Fundy region, occurring at nearly every known locality. These minerals typically form in basaltic cavities, where they crystallize in beautiful, well-defined structures. While heulandite is more commonly seen in shades of white, pink, or beige, this specimen is notable for its distinctive orange colouration.

Collected in 1974, this piece carries historical significance as part of a documented exchange between notable mineralogists. It was a gift to Dr. Peter Tarassoff, a respected geologist and collector, from Les and Elsa Horvath, well-known researchers specializing in the mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire. The association of this specimen with such distinguished names in Canadian mineralogy adds to its provenance and importance.

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