Wendy & Frank Melanson Collection Frank and Wendy Melanson put together a world-class thumbnail collection over the years, and one strength of the collection is the depth of certain Canadian localities. Although by no means comprehensive, the Mont St. Hilaire suite is particularly strong with fine examples of a wide array of species and associations. Mont St. Hilaire is one of the world’s greatest mineral localities with over 400 species represented, and it is the type locality for more than 60 of them.

For some reason I really like the helvite group minerals, especially the zinc bearing genthelvite. This single sharp lustrous tetrahedron from Mont St. Hilaire has wonderful luster and color with some attached aegirine in case there was any doubt as to the locality.