Sérandite

Chemistry Formula: NaMn2Si3O8(OH)
Chemistry Type: Wollastonite
Image Number: ROM2008_10089_10
Location: Poudrette Quarry; Mont Saint-Hilaire; Rouville County; Quebec; Canada
Collection Date: 1973

Description: Until the discovery of serandite crystals at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, the mineral was known only as small grains and crystals, and poorly formed at best. In 1973, a large pegmatite 'pipe' was exposed in the 'floor' of the quarry at Mont-Saint Hilaire and yielded hundreds of superb serandite crystals. Among them was this enormous twinned crystal, which is arguably the world’s best specimen of the species; certainly, it has an iconic status among collectors. Much of the serandite from Mont-Saint Hilaire has beautiful bright to deep orange to orange-pink colours which are seen in only a few other minerals.