Rhodochrosite

Unknown Owner

A wonderful example for the species from this Canadian locality with pinkish red bladed crystals of lustrous rhodochrosite measuring to 2.5 cm are in size forming a cluster without matrix. In good condition. The crystals show slight translucency.The quarry at Mont Saint Hilaire in Quebec, Canada, is one of the most famous mineral localities in the world, known for its extraordinary diversity of rare mineral species found within an alkaline intrusive complex. Quarrying operations, primarily for feldspar and aggregate, have exposed a variety of mineral rich zones within nepheline syenite and related rocks. Among the many minerals discovered there, rhodochrosite occurs as pink to rose colored crystals and masses, often found in cavities and associated with a wide range of rare species unique to the locality. The rhodochrosite from Mont Saint Hilaire is typically found in small but well formed crystals with attractive color. Although not as abundant as some other minerals from the site, it is highly valued by collectors due to the uniqueness of the locality and the complex geologic environment that produced such a diverse mineral assemblage.