Pyrite pseudomorph after Aegirine(?) with Albite

Item Description

A sculptural miniature specimen featuring sparkling metallic golden Pyrite, pseudomorphing after thin prismatic crystals of Aegirine(?), accented by small white bladed crystals of Albite. I can't recall seeing another specimen quite like this from MSH, and looking through a few databases, I can't find a comparable piece, which isn't unexpected for this diverse locality, as there have been many one-of-a-kind finds over the years. The famous Poudrette Quarry at Mont Saint-Hilaire is one of the world's most diverse and unique mineral localities. This complex nepheline-syenite / pegmatite locality has produced some of the most distinctive minerals in the world, and pieces like this can round out an MSH suite.
From the collection of Dr. Robert ("Bob") Byers of the San Francisco area. Bob is a spinal surgeon, who started collecting minerals as a boy when his father took him on geology field trips. Bob acquired this specimen from Frank and Wendy Melanson in 2009.