Villiaumite, Aegirine

This specimen features a striking raspberry-red mass of villiaumite displaying cubic cleavage, accompanied by aegirine and K-feldspar on a nepheline syenite matrix. Villiaumite, a rare halide mineral composed of sodium fluoride, is notably difficult to obtain. Initially discovered at its type locality, villiaumite was later found in Russia in 1982, Canada (Mount Saint-Hilaire) in 1989, and Namibia in 1992.

Dr. Tarassoff acquired this piece from Mr. R. Coussement in Mouscron, Belgium, in 1969. This specimen represents a rare and valuable addition to any collection, especially considering its historical significance and the difficulty in obtaining quality samples.

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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