Serandite

Unknown Owner

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A choice grouping of blocky serandite crystals without matrix. In great condition and quite choice for the species. Crystallized all aroundThe Poudrette Quarry, located at Mont Saint-Hilaire in the Monteregian Hills of Quebec, Canada, is one of the most significant mineralogical localities in the world. Geologically, the site is situated within an alkaline igneous complex known as a syenite-carbonatite intrusion, where highly evolved magmas and hydrothermal fluids created an environment for extreme mineral diversity, including over 430 distinct species. The quarry is particularly famous for its rare earth element minerals and world-class specimens of serandite, catapleiite, and analcime found within pegmatite dikes and miarolitic cavities. Historically, the quarry was named after the Poudrette family who began commercial operations in the late 1950s, primarily to produce crushed stone and aggregate for the regional construction industry. The peak years for significant mineral discoveries spanned from the 1960s through the early 2000s, during which time the site gained international acclaim for the discovery of dozens of new mineral species. Although ownership transitioned to companies like Unimin and later Covia, and access for specimen collecting has become strictly limited, the Poudrette Quarry remains a premier global reference point for alkaline mineralogy and geological research.