SOLD

Torbernite

Name: Torbernite
SKU: 333213-PT
Price: 650.00 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

333213-PT Category: _Archives –specimens pending sale or deletion

Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba

Democratic Republic of Congo

Dimensions: 9.2x6.9x4.1 cm

Price: CA

This classic specimen from the renowned Musonoi Mine displays forest-green, tabular crystals of torbernite, scattered across an oxidized white matrix. With emerald-green, transparent torbernite crystals reaching up to 3 mm in size, this small cabinet piece is an excellent example of copper uranyl minerals from this locality, especially prized for its vibrant colour and aesthetic crystal formations. Torbernite specimens from Musonoi typically dehydrate over time, forming metatorbernite.

Collected during the mine’s prime era (1960s-80s), this specimen was acquired by Dr. Peter Tarassoff through an exchange with R. Coussement of Belgium in 1969. For a comprehensive overview of Metatorbernite specimens such as this, see the Mineralogical Record article, Vol. 49, No. 2, 2018.

--

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 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.

1 2 Next »