Kaolinite

Name: Kaolinite
SKU: 32479-PT
Availability: InStock

32479-PT Category: Canada (Quebec, Francon Quarry) - Welonganite, Dawsonite, and Other Rare Minerals Tag: Rare

Francon Quarry, Saint-Michel dist., Montreal, Quebec

Canada

Dimensions: 4.3x3.7x2.5 cm

Price: CA

$75.00

This specimen features a crust of cream-white aggregates of micro crystals identified via X-ray diffraction (XRD) in 2004 as kaolinite, accompanied by calcite and quartz.

Kaolinite is a soft, earthy mineral, usually white, and belongs to the dioctahedral phyllosilicate clays. It forms through the chemical weathering of aluminum silicate minerals such as feldspar. In many regions, kaolin is colored pink-orange-red by iron oxide, giving it a distinct rust hue.

This particular specimen, collected by Dr. Tarassoff in 1977, originates from the Francon Quarry. Known for its alkalic intrusive sill in limestone, the quarry ceased operations in 1981 and will never reopen, making specimens from this location particularly rare and valuable to collectors. The confirmed presence of kaolinite and its associations with calcite and quartz highlight the geological diversity and mineralogical significance of this find.

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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.

Note: All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). International customers are charged in CAD, exchange rate is calculated automatically by your bank/paypal upon checkout.

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