MICROMOUNT: Vesuvianite -Jeffrey Mine, Val-des-Sources, Les Sources RCM, Estrie, Québec, Canada

Vesuvianite from the Jeffrey Mine in Val-des-Sources, Québec, Canada, is world-renowned for its exceptional crystal quality, vibrant colors, and rarity. This silicate mineral, also known as idocrase, forms in well-defined prismatic crystals that can exhibit a stunning range of hues, including lime green, yellow, brown, and even rare purple shades. The vesuvianite from the Jeffrey Mine is particularly prized for its clarity and luster, with some crystals achieving gem-quality status. Often associated with other minerals such as garnet and diopside, these specimens stand out for their aesthetic appeal and the fascinating mineralogical environment in which they formed.

The Jeffrey Mine, once one of the largest asbestos mines in the world, has become a legendary location for mineral collectors due to its production of some of the finest vesuvianite specimens globally. The unique geological conditions of the mine, with its high-temperature and high-pressure metamorphism of limestone, created the perfect environment for vesuvianite crystallization. Although mining operations ceased in 2001, the vesuvianite specimens from this locality continue to be highly sought after by collectors for their vibrant colors, superb crystallography, and their status as iconic examples of Canadian mineralogy.