Polylithionite

Just small enough to fit into a perky box on an angle, this is a thin translucent "flower" of silvery polylithionite. With just a tiny bit of the serandite matrix attached at the bottom. It was collected by Peter Tarassoff in 2003, it's a distinctive example of classic Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire material, showcasing the a unique mineral for which this renowned locality is celebrated.

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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.