Celestine (twinned) (Specimen #100048)

Mineral(s): Celestine 

Location: Dundas (South) Quarry, (Lafarge, Canada Crushed Stone) West Flamborough Township, Hamilton, Ontario 

Size: 10.1 x 4.4 x 1.5 cm 

Description:  A large, light blue and white, ‘twinned’ celestine crystal from a famous and historic Canadian location. This crystal has multiple, white-zoned terminations at both ends of the crystal. The crystal has excellent luster and is translucent to transparent. These specimens are getting increasingly difficult to acquire - an old one collected in the 1970’s in what was then called the north quarry (now called the south quarry, immediately adjacent to Highway 5). There are some broken tips in the multiple terminations but generally in good condition. 

The Lafarge quarry has operated under many names (Lafarge, Redlands Quarries, Steetley Industries, Canada Crushed Stone) for over 80 years. The site is famous for celestine, fluorite, galena and calcite. The host rock is Lockport Dolomite and is located on the Niagara Escarpment which extends into the Lockport area of New York state. Mineral collecting has not been permitted at this site for many years and it is considered a ‘closed’ location.