Weloganite (superb XL, TYPE LOCALITY)

Item Description

Weloganite is a very rare strontium, sodium, zirconium carbonate and this choice, small cabinet specimen is from the TYPE LOCALITY - the now-closed Francon Quarry in Montreal, Quebec. The classically-tapered, layered, translucent, and lustrous 1.4 cm crystal is nicely set in a pocket on the matrix. The termination has been slightly etched, but the overall aesthetics are quite good. The best of this extremely rare species are from a very few pockets at Francon. This cement quarry is known for its incredibly strange chemistry, and it has also produced a number of other rarities in the past. Weloganites are simply not available now, except if you are fortunate enough to find one released from advanced, recycled collections. Formerly in the extensive collection of W & A Cook. They purchased it from legendary Canadaian field collector and dealer, Gilles Haineault (Haineaultite). Superb single crystals of this color and quality should retail for easily $2000-plus, on matrix.