Ruizite

This specimen features orange-brown crusts of suuuper tiny acicular ruizite crystals richly covering two sides of the miniature matrix, with some accessory kenoite present. The peach fuzz-like ruizite is an exceptionally rare hydrated calcium manganese hydroxy silicate, known from only six localities worldwide. This particular piece originates from the type locality—the Christmas Mine in Arizona—where the mineral was first discovered. The species was named in honour of Joe Ruiz, a mineralogist and collector from Mammoth, Arizona.

The Christmas Mine, located near Hayden, Arizona, was originally claimed in 1880 and underwent multiple relocations before serious mining commenced around 1905. The operation included five shafts, with the deepest reaching 277 m. Initially part of the San Carlos Indian Reservation, the claims were invalidated until a portion of the land was returned to public domain by executive order on Christmas Eve 1902, inspiring the mine's name. The mine, a former Cu-Au-Ag-Mo-Bi-Pb-Zn-Be-W producer, was eventually owned by the Inspiration Copper Company before its closure in January 1982.

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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