Serandite with Analcime
stock #12.1-238
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire
Quebec,
Canada
3.7 x 2.6 x 1.4 CM (miniature)
price: $225
pre Tucson 2015 update
A sharp salmon-pink Serandite crystal is almost completely covered with small, sparkling gem clear Analcimes much like a coating of ice. The few larger Analcimes growing from some faces are the typical milky white and are a nice contrast to the Serandite. A very nice example from mining over 30 years ago at Mt St Hilaire. Excellent condition.
Grossular - gem clear, with Clinoclore
stock #17.1-498
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
3.8 x 3.6 x 1 CM (small miniature)
price: $825
pre Tucson 2015 update
A very bright, clear and perfect little gem from the great Jeffrey Mine. A fine small miniature / toenail, this could also be trimmed to make a competition thumbnail. The matrix is a mix of Clinochlore crystals and small clear Grossular that are pale pink or colorless. The main Garnet is cinnamon orange-red, well-positioned on the plate and is complete all around. You can see through it perfectly.
Even before this legendary locale closed for good the Garnets had become scarce and very expensive when of top quality.This is far better in person and a real bargain for the quality and esthetics.
Villiaumite with Hackmanite
stock #14.1-448
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Monteregie
Quebec,
Canada
7.7 x 3.3 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $190
pre Tucson 2015 update
Villiaumite is one of the more colorful yet rare minerals found at Mt St Hillaire and a handful of other Alkalai complexes. This is a very nice and very bright red example. These cubes are good sized (about 1 CM) rare for for bright red crystals, larger crystals have been found here but they are brownish. The matrix has many other alkali minerals included in it as is typical from this locale. Sadly now the quarry is closed there will be no more of these.
A big, sharp and well-formed single crystal of the rare "Mt St. Hilaire habit" of Rhodochrosite. Due to the thin nature of this piece it will fit in a thumbnail category but it looks bigger in person. The color is a brownish that can glow deep red with a backlight. In good condition damage-wise, there are just some very tiny edge chips seen at 10x magnification on the front face and a bigger chip on the backside. For this delicate thin habit this piece is remarkable. A great addition to any good suite of Rhodochrosites or Canadian minerals.
Carletonite is one of the most desired of Canadian minerals and it is incredibly rare, it ONLY occurs at Mt St. Hilaire which is also the type locality. This is an even more rare cabinet specimen with great esthetics. None has been found for years, and the original find was mostly thumbnail sized crystals or larger cleavage pieces. There were never many cabinet sized specimens and these are now only very rarely for sale. This has crystals to 3 CM (huge for the specie) with rich color and some distinct zoning. The condition is quite good with the typically crude cubes nicely contrasting with the matrix. For any good collection this is a very eye-catching specimen of a significant, rare mineral.
Grossular from the defunct Jeffrey mine is considered some of the world's best, especially in the rarer colors. Pink is particularly desirable and quite uncommon. This specimen is especially bright, lustrous and has strong color. The small crystals are well-formed, sharp and distinctly aligned in sheets and plates giving a nice overall arrangement. Displays well from several angles, most crystals are perfect with only a few damaged ones found with magnification, and not at all noticeable. A very good value.
Prehnite crystals on Diopside
stock #AX-5-065
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
5.3 x 4.8 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $450
Spring 2013
An exceptional crystallized spray of sharp Prehnite is set on a bright green carpet of acicular Diopside crystals. Excellent condition and with glass-like luster this is an esthetic and fine specimen from this find of a few years ago. Displays very well from several angles.
Vesuvianite
stock #17.1-513
Jeffrey Mine, Asbestos (now Val-des-Sources, Estrie,
Quebec,
Canada
4.5 x 3.7 CM (miniature)
price: $360
A excellent cluster of glassy, bright gem Vesuvianites from the now closed Jeffrey Mine. Modern classics, good examples are now very scarce. A lustrous medium green piece in excellent condition that shows small zones of deep purple and dark emerald green. Expect these to appreciate well.
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