The Gilles Haineault Mont Saint-Hilaire Collection is the premiere collection of Mont Saint-Hilaire minerals in the world.
The Mont Saint-Hilaire intrusion is unique on the planet and has been a destination for mineral collectors and mineralogists from around the world for over 50 years because more than 420 distinct mineral species have been found there.
Featuring unparalleled mineral specimens of high quality and diversity, and scientifically important type species, this collection is a rare example that documents the evolution of mineral discovery in Canada.
“This Mont Saint-Hilaire Collection must be considered as the most comprehensive, most detailed and quite likely, the collection which houses the finest mineral specimens ever collected in Canada.”
About The Collection
The collection will
- Change the way Canadians view the formation of Earth
- Lead to unprecedented insights into the nature of magmas in Earth’s mantle
- Advance our collective knowledge and understanding of the natural world
- Yield matchless opportunities for research and discovery of new species
- Inspire children’s interest in natural history and sciences, and inspire future scientists
- Be featured in the museum's Earth Gallery, sharing the story of Earth’s processes as well as of mineralogical diversity in Canada, alkaline rocks, rare-earth elements and their uses.
“The Haineault Collection is the mineralogical equivalent to the rainforest for biodiversity.”
About Gilles Haineault
Mr. Haineault, a passionate collector, has amassed the finest collection of Mont Saint-Hilaire minerals in the world, and authored the authoritative book on the topic, Minéraux du mont Saint-Hilaire : un patrimoine exceptionnel.
Mr. Haineault has enriched the mineralogical research community by generously making his collection available for study and hopes that the collection he has spent a lifetime discovering will find a permanent home in Canada, in the research and collections facility of the Canadian Museum of Nature.
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The Gilles Haineault Mont Saint-Hilaire Collection includes several one-of-a-kind, pristine specimens, like this serandite.
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This 23 × 16 catapleiite, a rare mineral species common to Mont Saint Hilaire, is considered to be the best specimen in the world.
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The collection includes many “type species”, such as this donnayite-(Y).
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Carletonite, a "type mineral" found in the quarry, has never been found anywhere else in the world.
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Fluorescent minerals from Mont Saint-Hilaire are known around the world.
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This specimen of serandite is considered to be among the best specimens for the species in the world.
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This crystal of sodalite (hackmanite variety) is the most beautiful known from Mont Saint-Hilaire.
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Exceptional rosettes of polylithionite, associated with serandites.
This collection belongs in Canada’s national museum of natural history. As internationally renowned experts in collecting and curating the world’s most precious natural treasures, the Canadian Museum of Nature is uniquely positioned to preserve, research, gain insights, share, and leverage this inimitable collection to educate and inspire Canadians, international visitors and the scientific community.