Hilairite (very rare) (ex Charlie Key)

Item Description

Hilairite is a very rare hydrated sodium zirconium silicate species, only found in about 20 places on earth. It is the namesake species for the Poudrette Quarry at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. The finest and most well-known crystals of Hilairite have been found at this world famous locality, but you won't find much of them on the market now that collecting has been severely restricted at MSH. This thumbnail sized specimen features small (approx. 1 mm), light tan colored, pseudo-cubic (rhombic) crystals of Hilairite sitting atop white Albite matrix with minor associated greenish-black "Chlorite". A must have for any rarities collector, or a fan of species from the type locality. Ex Charlie Key specimen. Ex Charlie Key personal collection. Charlie is arguably the most successful dealer of the second half of the 20th century, along with being the namesake for TWO mineral species (Keyite and Ludlockite).