Garnet (Spessartine) (Specimen #100256)

Mineral(s): Spessartine Garnet, Muscovite 

Location: Villeneuve mine, Val-des-Bois, Papineau RCM, Outaouais, Québec 

Size: 8.1 x 4.7 x 0.2 cm 

Description:   A unique specimen of multiple (4) ruby red spessartine garnet crystals up to 5mm, embedded in a muscovite plate. The garnet crystals are ‘flattened’ and protrude from both sides of the translucent, greenish muscovite plate.

This locale is known for these unique specimens mostly collected years ago. The Villeneuve mine was operated in a pegmatite for feldspar and mica and the mine was one of the largest mica mine operations on the continent. The mine closed in 1888.