Shattuckite

This specimen showcases vibrant and richly mineralized material from the renowned New Cornelia Mine in Ajo, Arizona. Bright blue seams of shattuckite, a rare copper silicate, densely fill the veins within the host rock. While the original label identifies the specimen as containing "ajoite," which is possible in trace amounts, the majority of the blue mineralization is most likely shattuckite. Ajoite tends to exhibit a more lighter green-turquoise hue, whereas shattuckite presents a deeper blue coloration, and this specimen leans more toward the latter. An excellent example of richly coloured copper silicate mineralization from this historically significant locality.

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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.