Mont St-Hilaire Gallery 2
click on images for larger views image on right is 10 x 7 mm
click on images for larger views image above is 8 x 6 mm
KUP10-1 Kupletskite on Aegerine $125
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
4.0 cm x 2.5 cm x 1.3 cm; Kupletskite crystals to 5 mm
Coppery, coffin-shaped Kupletskite (K,Na)3(Mn,Fe)7Ti2Si8O26(OH)4F crystals are liberally scattered on black Aegirine (NaFe3+Si2O6) with a bit of white Albite. In addition, there are some puzzling sprays of bronze-black needles. At first I thought they might be the acicular habit of Kupletskite, but they taper to points. After spending some time with the microscope, I'm beginning to think they are Aegerine. The bottom photo was an attempt to show how one of the Aegerines seems to be composed of many smaller crystals, some of which are diverging from the main branch and terminating in the same sort of bronze-colored points that can be seen in the sprays.
click on image for larger view
LF8-2 Leifite on Polylithionite and Rhodochrosite $100
Poudrette quarry, Mt Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada
2.4 cm x 2.5 cm x 1.4 cm
Leifite ((Na,H2O)Na6[F2|Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39],) is quite rare, found in half a dozen localities, of which Mont Saint-Hilaire produces the finest specimens. This thumbnail Leifite fluoresces pale yellow-orange under LWUV. The matrix contains minor Rhodochrosite (MnCO3) and Polylithionite (KLi2Al[(F,OH)2|Si4O10]), the latter of which fluoresces yellow under SWUV. The future of Mont Saint-Hilaire is uncertain; it is possible that no more specimens will be coming out.
click on images for larger views field of view on right = 1.8 x 1.5 mm
CAA10-1 Calcioancylite-(Ce) and Calcite $44
collected 1981; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Demix Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
7.1 cm x 3.7 cm x 2.3 cm
Colorless rosettes of Calcioancylite-(Ce) : (Ca,Sr)Ce(CO3)2(OH)·H2O are indicated by the red arrows. A loupe or microscope is required to enjoy this specimen. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right = 2.7 x 3 mm
MTRG10-2 Monteregianite (TL) and Fluorite $55 RESERVED
collected 1981; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Demix Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
5.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 3.6 cm
A fine cluster of Monteregianite-(Y) ((Na,K)6(Y,Ca)2Si16O38·10H2O, see right photo) crystals, relatively large for the species, from the type locality. They are so large for Monteregianite (about 2.5 mm), that they are even somewhat appreciable without a microscope or loupe.
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 1.3 x 2 mm
FOV ~ 1.5 x 1 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 0.9 x 1 mm
BURB10-1 Burbankite and Zircon $38
collected 1992; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
3.7 cm x 3.5 cm x 2 cm
The cluster of 5 Burbankite : (Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5 crystals is indicated by the blue and yellow arrows, and can be seen in the upper right photo. They are naked-eye visible, but a loupe or microscope will enhance enjoyment of this specimen. The yellowish Zircon (ZrSiO4) crystal (bottom two photos) is on the front edge of the specimen. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 3 x 4 mm
ELP10-1 Elpidite on Albite $32 RESERVED
ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Demix Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
4.5 cm x 4.3 cm x 2.5 cm
The Elpidite (Na2ZrSi6O15·3H2O) on this piece was checked by the National Museum of Canada in Ottawa. It is a somewhat different habit than usual, the blades being shorter and more translucent. Although the clusters are naked-eye visible, a loupe or microscope would enhance enjoyment of this specimen. The Elpidite fluoresces green and the Albite matrix fluoresces red under SWUV. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 4 x 4 mm
FOV ~ 2 x 2 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 4 x 4 mm
RHD10-1 Rhodochrosite, Polylithionite and Fluorite $28
ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
4.5 cm x 4.1 cm x 3.2 cm
Masses of Rhodochrosite (MnCO3) blades are partially coated by a gray-white mineral. Glassy Polylithionite (KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2) sheets and a few cubes of Fluorite (CaF2 - bottom row of photos) complete the ensemble. The Rhodochrosite and Polylithionite are naked-eye visible, but a loupe or microscope is required for the Fluorite. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on image for larger view
PLITH10-1 Polylithionite and Aegerine $24
collected 1975; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
3.2 cm x 2.5 cm x 2 cm
Silvery sheets of Polylithionite (KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2) with a few stick-like Aegerine (NaFe3+Si2O6) crystals. The Polylithionite is yellow under SWUV. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 1 x 1.1 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 1 x 1.1 mm
FOV ~ 1 x 1 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 1 x 1 mm
HOCH10-1 Hochelagaite (TL) and Ancylite-(Ce) $48
ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
4 cm x 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm
Fuzzy white Hochelagaite ((Ca,Na,Sr)(Nb,Ti,Si,Al)4O11·8H2O, see middle row of photos) in association with colorless blades of Ancylite-(Ce) (SrCe(CO3)2(OH)·H2O). The blue arrow in the lower right photo is pointing at one of the Ancylite-(Ce) blades. The photo at lower left shows more Hochelagaite and Ancylite. The clumps of Hochelagaite are easily naked-eye visible (see top left photo), but to appreciate their fuzziness and to see the Ancylite, a loupe or microscope is required. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 1 x 1.2 mm
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 1 x 0.7 mm
APA10-2 Fluorapatite $35 SOLD
collected 1986; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
6 cm x 5.2 cm x 5 cm
Masses of tiny, sparkly colorless Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F - see top and bottom right photos) crystals. A loupe or microscope is required to see individual Fluorapatites. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 6 x 7 mm
CHLOR10-1 Chlorite Group mineral, Mica and Calcite $28
collected 1984; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
4.3 cm x 3.3 cm x 2.5 cm
Here we have tan rosettes of a Chlorite group mineral interspersed with black books of Mica. The Chlorite group minerals most common at Mont Saint-Hilaire are Clinochlore ((Mg,Fe2+)5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8) and Chamosite ((Fe2+,Mg)5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8), and they do commonly occur in brown. Nice white Calcites provide a contrast. Although the constituent minerals are easily naked-eye visible, a loupe or microscope is required to see how the rosettes are formed. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 2 x 1.6 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 1 x 0.8 mm
FOV ~ 1 x 1 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 2 x 2 mm
PYRO11-1 Pyrochlore, Bastnäsite-(Ce) and Aegerine $25
collected in or before 1986;
ex A. Rancier; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
1.1 cm x 1 cm x 0.5 cm
Orange crystals of Pyrochlore (Na,Ca)2Nb2O6(OH,F), sometimes impaled on Aegirine (NaFe3+Si2O6) accompanied by whitish Bastnäsite-(Ce): (Ce,La)(CO3)F balls (in the two bottom photos). You definitely want a loupe or microscope for this specimen. The handwritten note is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 10 x 8 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 8 x 6 mm
CARL11-1 Carletonite on Arfvedsonite $22
collected in 1988 by Millie Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
1.3 cm x 1 cm x 0.9 cm
Colorless to blue Carletonite (KNa4Ca4Si8O18(CO3)4(OH,F)·H2O) cubes on black Arfvedsonite ([Na][Na2][Fe42+Fe3+]Si8O22(OH)2). This specimen was collected by Ron Waddell's wife Millie.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 1 x 0.8 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 1 x 1 mm
PYRO11-2 Pyrophanite $35
collected 1985; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
2.8 cm x 2.7 cm x 1.6 cm
Radiating starburst of red Pyrophanite (Mn2+TiO3) crystals, close-up in lower left photo, and a rosette visible edge-on in lower right photo. The rosette is in a vug, so I was not able to orient the Dino-Lite for a better photo, but even the edge is kind of cool. You definitely want a loupe or microscope for this specimen. The handwritten note is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 4 x 4 mm click on images for larger views FOV = 2 x 2 mm
GRIC10-1 Griceite (TL) and Villiaumite $55 SOLD
ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
6.3 cm x 4.8 cm x 4.0 cm
Two opaque, white Griceite (LiF - see both lower photos) crystals on a pile of tan, glassy crystals that Ron Waddell thought were probably from the Lovozerite Group, accompanied by dark red Villiaumite (NaF - in the background of the lower left photo). The naked eye can just barely spy the two Griceites thanks to their remarkable whiteness, but a loupe or microscope will show more detail. Mont Saint-Hilaire is the type - and the only - locality for Griceite, and these are nice specimens of this rare species. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right = 2 x 2 mm
FOV = 2 x 2 mm click on images for larger views FOV = 3 x 3 mm
SYN10-1 Synchysite-(Ce) on Albite and Siderite $32
ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
6.6 cm x 5 cm x 3.2 cm
Gray-brown disc-like Synchysite-(Ce) : Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2F, singly and in groups, on Albite-Siderite matrix. The Synchysite-(Ce) is sprinkled with tiny Pyrites and an unknown mineral in the form of white balls. A loupe or microscope is required to really enjoy this specimen. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views field of view on right ~ 1 x 1 mm
SYN11-1 Synchysite-(Ce), Albite and Siderite $32
collected 1963; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
2.7 cm x 1.1 cm x 1.6 cm
This piece is the earliest collected of any in this update - just 4 years after quarrying began at Mont Saint-Hilaire. Tabular gray hexagons of Synchysite-(Ce) (Ca(Ce,La)(CO3)2F) are decorated with pyrite on their edges, as can be seen in the photo to the right. A loupe or microscope is required to really enjoy this specimen, though the masses of Synchysite are readily visible without aid. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 1 x 1.1 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 1 x 1.1 mm
FOV ~ 1 x 1.1 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 3 x 3.3 mm
GAID11-1 Gaidonnayite (TL), Nenadkevichite, Fluorite, Rhodochrosite & Unknown Crystals on Microcline $48
collected 1987; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
2.9 cm x 2.3 cm x 2 cm
This is the best Gaidonnayite (Na2Zr(Si3O9)·2H2O) specimen I have ever owned - the crystals are large and numerous with completely wacky crystallography (bottom left photo and the yellowish rosette in bottom right photo). If that weren't enough, the Nenadkevichite ((Na,Ca,K)(Nb, Ti)Si2O6(O,OH)·2H2O) is abundant and well-formed, too. The red arrow (middle left photo) points at an example of Nenadkevichite that matches the drawing Ron Waddell did on the pink label on top right. (The back of the pink label contains the Nenadkevichite XRD analysis number.) Three other similar Nenadkevichite groups enhance the bottom right photo, which also features purple Fluorite (CaF2). The middle right photo shows Rhodochrosite on Microcline. A loupe or microscope is required to enjoy this specimen.
click on images for larger views field of view on right =3 x 4 mm
ZIR11-1 Zircon on Natrolite $22
collected July 1985; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
2.8 cm x 2 cm x 2 cm
A pair of Zircon (ZrSiO4) crystals on a matrix of Natrolite (Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O). Under SWUV, the Natrolite fluoresces green and the Zircon fluoresces yellow. The Zircons are large enough for naked-eye enjoyment. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
click on images for larger views
FOV ~ 2 x 2 mm click on images for larger views FOV ~ 3 x 3 mm
YOF11-1 Yofortierite (TL) and Vinogradovite $42 SOLD
collected 1982; ex Les Horvath; ex Ron Waddell; ex Tom Fitzpatrick
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
2.7 cm x 2.7 cm x 2 cm
In the top left corner of the top left photo, there is a brownish vug that seems to contain all the crystals of interest on this piece. Brown needles of Yofortierite (Mn5Si8O20(OH)2·8-9H2O - see lower left and lower right photos) and a bright, sherry-colored, prismatic crystal of rare Vinogradovite ((Na,Ca,K)4Ti4AlSi6O23(OH)·2H2O) - visible in the lower right corner of the lower right photo). A loupe or microscope is required to enjoy this specimen. The handwritten card is from Ron Waddell.
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