Gaspéite

Gaspéite is a rare nickel carbonate of the "carbonates and nitrates" class, within which it constitutes the so-called calcite group, together with calcite, magnesite, otavite, rhodochrosite, siderite, smithsonite and spherocobaltite.

Origin of name: after the type locality on Mount Albert on the Gaspésie Peninsula south of Québec, Canada. Discovered in 1965 by workers of the New Jersey Zinc Corporation.

Synonyms and trade names: none

Can be confused with: other similarly coloured minerals like turquoise, aventurine quartz, zoisite with amphibole or some feldspars  e.g. amazonite

Localities: gaspéit is quite a rarity. At the time of writing (2025) mindat.org lists only 27 localities. Besides the type locality in Canada these are in Australia and Tasmannia, China, Japan, South Africa aet al.
In Germany gaspéite was found in the Wilhelm mine in Nentershausen, Hessen

Handling: due to low hardness and good cleavage gaspéite is not particularly suited for jewellery. Handle and wear with care!

Worth knowing: gaspéits forms an isomorphous series with magnesite.