Detailed information
Species
Behoite, Nenadkevichite, Synchysite-(Ce)
Dimensions
22 x 24 x 35
mm
Weight
12 g
Locality
Mont Saint-Hilaire La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM Montérégie, Québec, Canada
Condition
No recorded repairs
This small miniature specimen from Mont Saint-Hilaire is a treasure trove of rare species from that most famous of mineral localities. The main significant species is Behoite, an extremely rare beryllium hydroxide phase named after its chemistry. It occurs as extremely large, glassy, reticulated crystals and colourless to white blades. Synchysite-(Ce) is much more distinctive, as mustard-coloured rounded hexagonal prismatic crystals. Nenadkevichite, a really unusual sodium niobium silicate hydroxide hydrate, forms tiny pink microcrystals. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021). A remarkable Behoite in its own right, and even better as a rare species combo.