Vesuvianite (var. Manganoan)

This specimen features vesuvianite crystals exhibiting a pastel purple hue attributed to manganese content. It serves as an good example of the striking material once recovered from the famed, long-closed Jeffrey Mine in Val-des-Sources (formerly Asbestos), Quebec. The Jeffrey Mine, once the largest open-pit chrysotile asbestos operation in the world, spanned roughly 2 km in diameter and reached depths of 350 metres. Mining began in 1879, and by 1969, the expansion of the pit required the relocation of much of the surrounding town. Global demand for asbestos sharply declined in the 1980s following recognition of its carcinogenic risks and widespread regulatory bans. By 2001, depleted finances forced the mine’s closure. Since then, no new vesuvianite of this calibre has been produced, making pieces like this increasingly rare and highly sought after by collectors.