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Ontario Pseudomorphs

 

   The definition of a pseudomorph is a mineral which has been replaced by another yet retains the shape of the original. "Pseudomorph" means "false form", it is ususally abbreviated to "pseudo" or just "ps". While the replacement process generally results in rough crystals and dull colors, pseudomorphs are interesting examples of chemical change and worthy of study. Ontario is not rich in pseudomorphs. The best are the feldspar pseudomorphs after scapolite from near Bancroft and the pharmacosiderite pseudomorphs after cobaltite from Espanola. This is a quick list, with time I will add further details.

 

Anatase ps Ilmenite, Madawaska Mine property, Bancroft, MR,V.10#3, p.158; V13#2,p.76

 

Anatase ps Titanite, Cardiff Mine property, light brown xls, MR V 13 #2, p. 80

Bastnaesite ps Allanite, CM V11 #2 pp. 541-543

Chlorite group, Clay minerals, Bertrandite ps Beryl, Beryl Pit, near Quadeville - smallish hexagonal prisms locked in feldspar matrix were once beryl but are now a soft greenish mixture of minerals

Corundum ps Spinel, Bathurst Twp., Lanark County, Bancroft District, MR V13 #2, pp.79-80

Corundum ps Sillimanite, Adit Level, Bicroft Mine, near Bancroft, Ontario - best observed in thin section. Evans (1966)

Feldspar ps Scapolite, large thick prisms, sharply replaced and shades of red, found in the 70's at a Hwy. 41 road cut, 6 miles east of Griffith

Magnetite ps 'olivine', Alexo Mine, Timmins area, Sabina(1974)

Marcasite ps Pyrrhotite?, Dundas Quarry, near Hamilton, unanalyzed, possibly pyrite or maybe marcasite, replacing (or possibly just epitaxially coating) micro thin hexagonal plates of pyrrhotite

Muscovite ps Nepheline, East of the Morrison Quarry, Dungannon Twp. (Moyd, 1949, Am.Min.34, p.748)

Parisite ps Bastnaesite, Hwy. 17 Rd.Cut, 1 mile S of Marathon turnoff, Pic Twp, Thunder Bay Dist., CM,V7, p.819

Pharmacosiderite ps Cobaltite, large sharp cubes replaced by greenish brown pharmacosiderite, Espanola district, T. Jokela collection

Quartz ps Tridymite, Sudbury, CM,V7#3,p.413

Sodalite ps Nepheline, Davis Hill, Bancroft; MR V21 #3