Mineral Specimens from Canada - Classic Specimen Localities

Canada’s mineral diversity reflects an immense Precambrian foundation – the Canadian Shield – overlaid by extensive sediments and Cordilleran mountain belts. Probably the best-known Canadian location is Mont Saint Hilaire, renowned for its remarkable diversity of over 430 mineral species, of which more than 70 were first discovered there. Other locations, like Madoc, Ontario, have focused on creating wealth from rich zinc and lead deposits. Elsewhere, tectonic and metamorphic events led to complex pegmatites, bearing tourmaline, beryl, spodumene, feldspar and fine mica. Very recently, Canada has become a leading source of diamonds and remains famous for a number of signature minerals, including bright blue lazulite from the Yukon.

Collecting Canadian minerals is popular because the country offers both breadth and enormous pedigree – well-studied mining districts, classic localities with long collecting traditions, and fame for striking display pieces. For more information about the mineral locations in Canada, click HERE.