Fluororichterite Mineral Specimens from Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada

Michael Walter
#2982 State Rt. 11B, PO. Box 137
Nicholville, New York 12965
(315) 328-4008
gdesires@slic.com

The Fluororichterite Road Cut, Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada

Fantastic specimens containing large crystals, in matrix and right along site the road! How could that be? Ontario, Canada boasts numerous site such as this. The one I will describe here also has a unique mineral called fluororichterite. It may sound exotic but simply stated it is a member of the hornblende family that is quite rare. In fact, for many years this location has been noted as the only location in the world where this mineral can be found (not actually true). Not being a geochemist I can not speak to this but I can certainly comment on the wonderful specimens that can be recovered from this roadside mineral site.

Several miles outside the town of Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada is a calcite deposit which contains superbly formed crystals of fluororichterite. These opaque black crystals are scattered about within this flesh colored massive calcite. The crystals can get quite large, up to several inches in length and are usually well formed and terminated. Here is a good look at the typical crystal form for the fluororichterite crystals.......

    Here is a killer specimen with many fluororichterites in calcite.



Almost as popular as the fluororichterite crystals are the smaller crystals of phlogopite mica that also occur at the site. These terminated books can be translucent when viewed with good back light. Their color then appears to be a wonderful red. Well formed, small crystals can have a fantastic red glow uncommon to this species of mica. Here are a couple of images that demonstrate this.

               


Collecting at this road cut can be great or poor depending on the methods you use. Lots of work is usually required because the easy pickings are long gone. The soil can produce specimens but the calcite produces the best material. This calcite is nothing short of bullet proof. Even drilling and sawing the rock will only produce mixed results. I have had days here that were a bonanza and others when I basically got skunked. If you do you might be happily surprised by your results. Bring your heavy tools and be prepared to work. Stop by the Bancroft Chamber of Commerce for directions to this and other sites in the immediate area. Good luck.

                    Terminations can be simple or complex.

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