Pectolite, Grossular, Diopside

The now-closed Jeffrey Mine in Quebec is renowned for producing some of the finest grossular garnet crystals ever found. This specimen showcases a dense coverage of sharp, lustrous, peach-colored grossular crystals on its top surface, accompanied by well-formed white pectolite blades. The Jeffrey Mine, a classic locality for grossular, is highly sought after for its specimens, distinguished by exceptional luster and well-defined striations.

Once one of the world's largest chrysotile asbestos operations, the open-pit mine in Val-des-Sources (formerly Asbestos), Quebec, spanned 2 km in diameter and reached a depth of 350 meters. Mining began in 1879, and by 1969, the expansion of the pit forced the relocation of the town. However, the global decline in asbestos demand, following its classification as a carcinogen, led to the mine’s closure in 2001. Since then, it has remained inactive, making specimens from this locality increasingly rare and highly collectible.

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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.