Gaidonnayite on Smoky Quartz (Ref: 6059)

Gaidonnayite is a highly rare Sodium-Zirconium silicate and the orthorombic dimorph (the same chemical composition but with different crystalline structures) of the monoclinic species Catapleiite. In this case, translucent, cream white Gaidonnayite crystal clusters are perched very contrastingly on a doubly terminated, equally lustrous Smoky Quartz crystal. The piece comes from the TYPE LOCALITY for the species, the Poudrette Quarry near Mont Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Collecting here has been severely restricted since the change of ownership in 2007. Only a few collecting trips per year to small groups of registered members of the Montreal Mineral Club who are selected by lottery are permitted. Due to these restrictions, there are practically no new good pieces like this one coming onto the market anymore.