Central Mine, Broken Hill, New South Wales (oxide zone)
Australia
Dimensions: 3.8x2.9x1.9 cm
Price: CA
$250.00
This is a rare and highly sought-after specimen from the classic Broken Hill deposit, featuring blindingly bright orange patches of minium scattered across much of the matrix. Minium, an uncommon lead oxide, formed during the extensive mine fires of the late 1800s and early 1900s, making it a post-mining occurrence. Its status as a true mineral has been debated, (see: Minerals of Broken Hill, 1982). Minium is a notably soft species, a clay like substance, requiring careful handling. This specimen showcases the mineral in association with glassy anglesite crystals—primarily massive with a few small crystals—and brown microcrystals of siderite. This unique and colourful piece was acquired by Dr. Tarassoff from Southwest Scientific Co., Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1964.
--
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.
