Zircon

This specimen features a mass of zircon crystals, maybe 80% or more, a couple of them are quite well-formed. The zircons occur as simple prismatic crystals terminated by sharp pyramids, with a few crystals intergrown in small clusters. Overall, the specimen is densely packed with zircons, giving it a rich, “nest-like” appearance that is especially appealing to collectors. The matrix is a pyroxene–feldspar matrix. Zircon crystals from this locality commonly form in tight groupings or “nests,” and this specimen appears to come from the heart of one such concentration. The crystals display classic morphology and good definition, making the piece both visually interesting and mineralogically representative.

It originates from the Ross Mine near Forester’s Falls, Ontario, a well-known but unusual zircon locality. Here, zircons occur in hornblende pegmatite and are prized for their sharp form, dark grey to reddish-brown colouration, and association with minerals such as apatite and fluorite. This is an excellent example of zircon from a classic Grenville-region locality.