WELOGANITE
Specimen wel-3

Dims: 2.5" x 2.0" x 1.9" (6.4 x 5.1 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 4.14 oz. (117.3 g)

Francon Quarry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

THis interesting little specimen consists of a host rock that is known as carbonatite. I believe that it is made up of a variety of carbonate minerals, both common and rare. Inside a hollow in this material rest several crystals of Weloganite, an uncommon complex carbonate of several different metals that occurs in crystal form at only one locality, a mine near Montreal, Canada, that is now closed. These crystals are in very good condition, though a few of them show signs of damage. They occur in a hexagonal prismatic form with basal terminations, and range in length from 2 or 3 mm to almost 1 cm. Their prism faces are heavily striated parallel to the basal plane. They have a gray-white color and a dull luster, and are dimly translucent. They are accompanied by what appear to be several gray-white calcite crystals with a dull luster. Their striations and rather uneven form remind me of that of some sapphire crystals.

Dims: 2.6" x 2.4" x 1.6" (6.6 x 6.1 x 4.1 cm)

Wt: 6.46 oz. (117.3 g)

Francon Quarry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

This hand specimen consists of several hexagonal prismatic Weloganite crystals resting on a thick slab of carbonatite host rock. The crystals are in moderately good condition, as some of them show noticeable to severe damage. They do not exceed 0.9" (2.3 cm) in length, and tend to have rather warped and inconsistent forms. All have a pale greenish-yellow coloration and a pearly-to-waxy luster, and are translucent. It would appear that there are many crystals that are mostly buried under scores of small, round, white nodules that rest among the Weloganites- I don't know what these nodules are made of, but it would be reasonable to assume that it would be a carbonate mineral of some sort. This is only the second Weloganite specimen that I have seen in my travels.

Dims: 3.8 x 2.0 x 1.8" (9.7 x 5.1 x 4.6 cm)

Wt: 7.60 oz. (215.5 g)

Francon Quarry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

This hand specimen consists of several hexagonal prismatic Weloganite crystalsAt least 7 small Weloganite crystals rest in a hollow in the dull, pale gray host rock of this small hand specimen. None of them have dimensions that exceed 0.2" (5 mm), but they are generally in very good condition- only one of the crystals is damaged, and it has been broken off near its base. All have slighty-warped but relatively well-defined hexagonal prismatic form, with well-defined edges and disjointed and striated but clean faces that possess a flat, matte luster. Their color is a uniform gray-white, and all are completely opaque. There are several long, thin bladed crystals accompanying the Weloganites- they have a milky white coloration and are translucent, but I cannot identify them. I would guess that they might possibly be made of artinite.