Wulfenite, Vanadinite

This specimen features rare bipyramidal wulfenite crystals from the renowned Erupción Mine at Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico. The piece is densely covered with numerous intergrown, lustrous red-orange to brown crystals—many of them double-terminated and reaching up to 8 mm in length. The crystals display sharp definition and elegant tapering near the terminations, ending in multiple fine points rather than perfect single tips, which is characteristic of this unusual habit.

Most wulfenite from Los Lamentos occurs in more common tabular or pseudocubic blocky forms, making bipyramidal crystals exceptionally rare. Specimens of this kind were primarily recovered during the 1950s and 60s and are now extremely difficult to find on the market. Enhancing the specimen even further, the reverse side is richly adorned with sparkling microcrystals of brown arsenian vanadinite (var. endlichite). This miniature is a particularly fine and showy example, exemplifying the quality and rarity of historic finds from this classic Mexican locality.

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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.