Vanadinite, Calcite

This is a classic vanadinite specimen from the famous Old Yuma Mine, located just northwest of Tucson, Arizona. While the vanadinites from Mibladen, Morocco, are considered the global standard for the species, those from the Old Yuma Mine are arguably the finest examples from the Americas—and among the best found just about anywhere else. This specimen features well-formed, red hexagonal prisms and slight bevelling at the pinacoidal terminations. The vibrant crystals are accompanied by translucent, colourless calcite on matrix. The crystals, with their rich red colour and high lustre, are reminiscent of crocoite. Measuring up to 4 mm across, the vanadinite crystals coat the top of the matrix. The Old Yuma Mine, closed for decades and now incorporated into a park, no longer permits collecting, making specimens from this locality highly desirable. This lovely, miniature-sized specimen is an excellent representation of the classic, prismatic vanadinites that made the Old Yuma Mine a celebrated source for this mineral.

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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.