Eudialyte

Collectors' Tips

Most deposits of eudialyte are found in isolated, difficult-to-reach places. In Canada, however, we are fortunate to have important deposits within easy reach. Mont Saint-Hilaire is only 40 km southeast of Montreal and is visible from the Trans-Canada highway.

There are several physical properties which help to distinguish eudialyte from other minerals. It is generally red to brownish red to pink, and is rarely yellow. It has a glassy lustre and fractures like glass. It sometimes forms small crystals, often resembling an octahedron but is most frequently found in irregular masses up to several centimetres across.

Careful searching is necessary to find eudialyte. The collector usually has to break a great deal of rock or do a lot of digging in order to find a nice specimen. The basic tools for the collector are: geological hammer, sledge hammer, chisel, small shovel, collecting bag and wrapping paper, together with safety equipment such as hard-toed boots, safety glasses and hardhat.