Rhodochrosite

specimen number:
2133430

location:
Poudrette Quarry, Mt. St. Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

description:
Lustrous translucent deep red rhombohedral crystals of rhodochrosite with little attached matrix. In good condition.

The Poudrette Quarry, located at Mont Saint-Hilaire in Quebec, Canada, is an active commercial aggregate quarry that has gained international legendary status among mineralogists and collectors for its extraordinary mineral diversity. Geologically, the site is situated within the Monteregian Hills igneous province, representing a Cretaceous alkaline intrusive complex formed by the upwelling of mantle-derived magmas through the surrounding sedimentary crust. The complex consists primarily of nepheline syenites and intrusive breccias containing numerous pegmatite and xenolith-rich pockets. These unique chemical environments have yielded over four hundred distinct mineral species, including dozens discovered at the locality for the first time, making it one of the most mineralogically complex spots on Earth.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.