Lorenzenite

This specimen features acicular needle-like crystals of lorenzenite distributed throughout a vug in a feldspar matrix, which also contains what has been identified as a sodium amphibole ("Na Amphibole"). The lorenzenite appears as colourless to brown prismatic crystals, and display a green-yellow glow under UV light. Collected by Peter Tarassoff in 1969, this is a good example of the rare sodium titanium silicate species.

The specimen originates from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec—one of the most mineralogically diverse localities in the world. The quarry has yielded hundreds of rare and unique mineral species, many of which are considered best-of-species examples. Formerly accessible to collectors, the site is now strictly off-limits, making high-quality specimens like this increasingly scarce and highly desirable among collectors.

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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.