Sphalerite, Siderite

Name: Sphalerite, Siderite
SKU: 32889-PT
Price: 65.00 CAD
Availability: InStock

32889-PT Category: Europe - Various Species and Localities

Saddleback Mountain, Cumbria, England

UK

Dimensions: 7.5x4.8x2.7 cm

Price: CA

$65.00

This is an old stock specimen featuring dark brown dodecahedral crystals accompanied by drusy siderite crystals on a matrix of slate and quartz. While the label does not confirm the exact origin, it is most likely from Alton Moore in the Saddleback Mountain area, a renowned historic lead-zinc mining district. This mining area saw intermittent activity from the mid-1700s until the mid-1900s, producing a range of notable mineral specimens.

Saddleback Mountain is particularly well known for its deposits of siderite, sphalerite, and other lead-zinc minerals, making this specimen a classic representation of the locality's rich mineralogy. Dr. Peter Tarassoff acquired the piece in 1951 through an exchange with J. Petruska, adding another layer of historical significance.

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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 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.

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