BARITE
Specimen bar-1

Dims: 2.5" x 2.25" x 1.5"

Wt: 6.0 oz. .... Noble, Oklahoma, U.S.A
The first of our Oklahoma Barite selection, this specimen shows the deep red blades of a classic "desert rose." It is in excellent condition and quite clean, with very little damage. The Barite rose is a basic collector's item- if you're starting to gather minerals about you, or you never had the chance to purchase one of these, here's a good one at a very affordable price.

The first of our Oklahoma Barite selection, this specimen shows the deep red blades of a classic "desert rose." It is in excellent condition and quite clean, with very little damage. The Barite rose is a basic collector's item- if you're starting to gather minerals about you, or you never had the chance to purchase one of these, here's a good one at a very affordable price.

Dims: 2.5" x 2.5" x 1.5"

Wt: 7.86. oz. .... Noble, Oklahoma, U.S.A
This well-formed specimen is one of our larger Oklahoma Barites. It is quite pale, possibly due to weathering, and looks like a classic "rose." It has a very sandy texture and a pale brick-red coloration. Though it would appear to be dull, the blades show a surprisingly grainy but bright pearly luster when viewed at certain angles. There is a concentration of a deeper red sand stuck between the blades on one side of the specimen that may be "glued" in by the presence of Barite between the grains.

This well-formed specimen is one of our larger Oklahoma Barites. It is quite pale, possibly due to weathering, and looks like a classic "rose." It has a very sandy texture and a pale brick-red coloration. Though it would appear to be dull, the blades show a surprisingly grainy but bright pearly luster when viewed at certain angles. There is a concentration of a deeper red sand stuck between the blades on one side of the specimen that may be "glued" in by the presence of Barite between the grains.

Dims: 2.25" x 2.25" x 1.75"

Wt: 6.0 oz. .... Noble, Oklahoma, U.S.A
Another of our Barite rose selection, this specimen has the least definition. It also is the most damaged, with one of the "rose petals" noticeably crushed. Even so, it is still in very good condition, and would be a perfect low-cost gift to a budding collector or a student going for a degree in geology.

Another of our Barite rose selection, this specimen has the least definition. It also is the most damaged, with one of the "rose petals" noticeably crushed. Even so, it is still in very good condition, and would be a perfect low-cost gift to a budding collector or a student going for a degree in geology.

Dims: 2.25" x 2.25" x 1.25"

Wt: 5.1 oz. .... Noble, Oklahoma U.S.A
This sand-bearing Barite concretion is a very deep red, indicating that it took on a lot of the surrounding, sandy earth as it formed. It is an excellent specimen, with clean and well-defined blades.

This sand-bearing Barite concretion is a very deep red, indicating that it took on a lot of the surrounding, sandy earth as it formed. It is an excellent specimen, with clean and well-defined blades.

Dims: 4.75"x 3.75" x 2.75"

Wt: 12.3oz

Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

While not one of the larger of our Colorado Barite specimens, this piece does have a lot of Barite, the majority of it nestled in a small vug in the chalky matrix. The crystals max out at an inch in length, and most of them are joined where they grew into each other. The blue color is very unusual, making a tasteful item to round out a collection.

Dims: 2.75" x 2.50" x 1.75"

Wt: 4.0oz

Weld Co., Colorado, U.S.A.

This specimen is one of the smallest of the blue Barite selection and has a relatively small amount of Barite, but is by far the most impressive and the best value for the cost. This is due to the presence of the most perfect crystal of Barite that I have ever seen! This one crystal, measuring 3/8 inch by 3/8 inch by 1/8 inch, has almost perfect symmetry. Its sides and edges are clear and free from flaw or damage. This is it for the collector with his or her eye on crystalline perfection.

Dims: 3.75" x 2.5" x 2"

Wt: 15 oz

Mibladen, Morocco

The bright orange color of this specimen makes it stand out right away. The crystals occur in a form that is common for Barite, and are of very good quality, even after having been subjected to weathering. There are two or three tiny spots that are damaged, but all in all, the specimen is in top condition. The clusters average 3/4 inch in length and are comprised of thin blades that are tightly arranged parallel to each other. Several of them surround a small face that is composed of Galena coated with tiny Anglesite crystals.

Dims: 2" x 1.5" x 0.75"

Wt: 1.29 oz

Book Cliffs, Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S.A.

An exceptional Barite crystal resides on this specimen from Colorado. It is thoroughly transparent and colorless, and though it has several internal fracture lines and one veil-like inclusion, its form is excellent. It occurs in a four-sided orthorombic prism that has only a very small amount of damage. It rests almost parallel to its host rock, which has a few small bladed crystals of the mineral scattered on it.

Dims: 1.5" x 1.5" x 0.63"(3.8 x 3.8 x 1.6 cm)

Wt: 12.4 g

Stoneham, Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

I like this specimen best out of all the Barite that I have ever seen! It consists of two crystals that have a gray-blue coloration reminiscent of that of celestite and occur in the form of long, thin six-sided prisms. Their luster is mostly vitreous and they each have substantial areas of transparency, though possessing many inclusions. There are noticeable areas of damage to the specimen, but none of these interfere with the structure of the crystals, which are quite clean.The specimen's dimensions represent the length of each crystal, as one is growing off of the other 's midsection at about a 75-degree angle. There is what appears to be a cluster of stubby yellow calcite crystals adjacent to the intersection point of the Barites. This is my idea of a prime thumbnail specimen!

Dims: 1.8" x 1.1" x 1.4"(4.6 x 2.8 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 1.6 oz.(45.5 g.)

El Solar Mine, Guerrero, Mexico

Even with its considerable damage, this Barite specimen is a thing of intense beauty. It is made up of 30 or 40 flat, wedge-shaped blades that are transparent and colored a lovely pale gray-blue. The crystals radiated along a line on a host rock(it is not present on the piece); one can see where the line of growth was, and that the crystals started out a milky-white color and almost plumose in form, fading to blue as they grew. They have a generally steep pinacoidal termination form, with some reaching a point and others ending at a thin basal face. It is difficult to tell whether these crystals are growing straight out, with this steep termination, or if they are growing at an angle and have one main angled face as a termination- there is evidence of both. There is quite a bit of noticeable damage in the form of broken crystals, but the piece is still very impressive!

Dims: 3.4" x 2.0" x 1.3" (8.6 x 5.1 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 4.03 oz. (114.4 g)

Oviedo, Spain

Possessing excellent contrast, this Barite specimen consists of dozens of pale-blue tabular crystals on a reddish-brown quartzite base rock. The Barites have very good orthorombic form, occurring as diamond-shaped tabular crystals, and are in excellent condition with little human-induced damage. They have a vitreous luster and are translucent with small spots of transparence. Near the Barites rest a few clusters of white dolomite crystals with curved edges and faces. A few spots on the host rock's surface are covered with dustings of tiny pyrite crystals. This is one of a few mineral specimens that we have available that come from Spain.

Dims: 6.0" x 5.0" x 3.5" (15.2 x 12.7 x 8.9 cm)

Wt: 3 lbs., 6.8 oz. (1.554 kg)

Hulcani Mine, Ancash, Peru

This is one of the larger and more impressive Barite specimens that we have available. The Barite occurs in the form of dozens of large, thin tabular crystals that have good form. The specimen has rather extensive damage in the form of broken crystals, but is nonetheless in good condition. The largest of these blades measures 1.9" (4.8 cm) tall, 1.7" (4.3 cm) wide, and no more than 0.2" (5 mm) thick, and like the others in the cluster, has a milky white coloration and a rather dull waxy luster. All are translucent, but some show a dim, foggy transparence. Among the Barite blades rest many small, tabular tennantite crystals and a few blocky siderites. The tennantites have the standard gray coloration and metallic luster, whereas the siderites are more of an orange-brown in color and have a dull luster and translucence. It is definitely an impressive cabinet specimen that should be handled with some care, as the Barite blades are quite exposed.

Dims: 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.9" (8.9 x 6.1 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 3.46 oz. (98.3 g)

La Union, Cartagena, Spain

This small hand specimen consists of scores, if not hundreds, of small, heavily intergrown Barite blades. These blades do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in diameter and are generally in good condition, though there are a few areas of noticeable damage visible. All have very good orthorhombic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright, pearly luster. They are intergrown into an almost plumose formation and appear to be clustered together in slightly radiating sprays which are intergrown with each other. All have a uniform pale grayish-blue coloration and are cloudy and translucent. Several of the crystals on one side of the piece appear to have slightly worn edges. There is no host rock or other material of any kind present.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.1 x 0.4" (4.8 x 2.8 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 27.4 g

Stoneham, Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

This large thumbnail specimen consists of a cluster that is made up of 7 or 8 tetragonal prismatec Barite crystals. All of these crystals are in excellent condition, being almost completely free of damage, and have excellent form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly-to-waxy luster. All have a pale grayish-blue coloration at their bases that fades to a pale greenish-yellow near their terminations. The crystals are transparent and dimly to moderately clear, though they all contain substantial internal fractions that are generally aligned along their cleavage planes. There is no host rock present on the specimen.

Dims: 2.6 x 2.4 x 2.1" (6.6 x 6.1 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 4.77 oz. (135.3 g)

Moscona Mine, Asturias, Spain

A crust made up of scores of small Barite blades rests on the green shale base of this specimen. These blades are small, not exceeding 0.4" (1.0 cm) in length, but are generally in very good condition, showing only a small amount of damage. Their orthorhombic bladed form is excellent- all have well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright pearly luster. Their color borders between colorless and milky-white due to many veil-like inclusions, which also interfere somewhat with clarity. These Barites rest on top of a crust of creamy-white dolomite crystals that cover over 50% of the base rock. Most of the other surfaces of this base are covered with a druse of intergrown fluorite crystals that are generally in good condition and have excellent cubic form, a deep golden color and bright pearly luster, and moderate clarity.

Dims: 3.5 x 2.4 x 2.1" (8.9 x 6.1 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 8.41 oz (238.5 g)

Noble, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Three partly intersecting Barite "roses" make up this specimen. All have dimensions of approximately 2.2 x 2.0 x 1.0" (5.6 x 5.1 x 2.5 cm). One of these roses is noticeably damaged, as one of its blades is broken and incomplete, and the other two are intact and in excellent condition. All have reasonably good form, with rounded but definable edges and clean faces that actually show a grainy, pearly luster. They have the classic red coloration and are opaque, of course. A small amount of a dull, dark red material rests in a few crevices on the piece- it looks like a sandstone.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.2 x 1.2" (4.3 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 1.07 oz. (30.5 g) w/ base

Stoneham, Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

This thumbnail specimen consists of a cluster of at least 10 intersecting Barite blades. These blades are generally in good condition- though at least 5 appear to be damaged, most show some form of partial healing on their breakage surfaces. The largest crystal has dimensions of 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.2" (2.5 x 1.3 x 0.5 cm), and is not quite incomplete due to restricted growing space. All have good orthorhombic prismatic form, but three crystals in particular are exceptional (see the second image)- even though they are rather heavily-intergrown with each other, their form is nearly perfect, with well-defined edges and very clean faces. Whereas the other crystals tend to have a pearly luster, these show a vitreous one. Their color is also a deeper gray-blue, and they are generally clearer than the rest, which are dimly transparent. There is a small amount of a chalky, beige host rock still present, and the specimen is hot-glued onto a flat acrylic base.

Dims: 5.7 x 3.7 x 2.6" (14.5 x 9.4 x 6.6 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 10.8 oz. (1.212 kg)

Montana, U.S.A.

This cabinet-sized specimen consists almost entirely of heavily-intergrown Barite crystals. These crystals are in fair to moderately good condition, showing considerable damage and breakage in some areas, and reach diameters of nearly 1" (2.5 cm). Their orthorhombic prismatic form is good, and appears nearly pseudo-cubic in some spots. All have a moderately pale brown coloration and a greasy or waxy luster, and are translucent, though many smaller crystals are transparent. Most are partly covered with a dull, brown-white substance that may well be more Barite.

Dims: 5.1 x 3.2 x 2.2" (12.9 x 8.2 x 5.5 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 9.6 oz. (727 g)

Montana, U.S.A.

Several pseudo-rhombohedral Barite crystals are embedded in the creamy-white host rock of this specimen. These crystals reach visible dimensions of 0.8 x 0.5 x 0.4" (2.0 x 1.2 x 1.0 cm) and are in moderately good condition, showing light but widespread damage. All have excellent form, with well-defined edges and clean faces, and a few appear to show the "hopper effect" on one or two faces. They are a moderate golden-brown in color and translucent to dimly transparent, and have a dull, waxy luster. The pale base rock on which they rest actually resembles concrete, in a way.

Dims: 5.0 x 3.5 x 1.5" (12.7 x 8.9 x 3.7 cm)

Wt: 9.88 oz. (280.3 g)

San Francisco Mine, Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico

A very small cluster of Barite blades rests on the base of this cabinet specimen. This cluster measures only 0.9 x 0.5 x 0.3" (2.3 x 1.3 x 0.7 cm) and is made up of several very thin blades which are arranged almost in a rosette form. All are milky-white in color and have a dull luster. They are accompanied by several small wulfenite clusters- each of these is made up of 2-5 blades that show excellent tetragonal form and a deep yellow color. All rest on a bed of what looks like thousands of tiny, intergrown mimetite globules that coats the base rock.

Dims: 4.5 x 3.7 x 3.2" (11.5 x 9.3 x 8.0 cm)

Wt: 14.8 oz. (420 g)

Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

This large cabinet specimen consists of several tabular Barites that rest in hollows in the chalky, pale brown host rock. All are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage, and reach dimensions of 0.8 x 0.5 x 0.3" (2.0 x 1.3 x 0.8 cm). All have excellent orthorhombic tabular form, with sharp edges and clean faces that show a bright pearly luster. Their color is a pale gray with a noticeable blue tinge, and all are transparent but only dimly clear due to the presence of several internal fractures and cloudy inclusions. The host rock that holds them appears to be a very soft, pale brown shale.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.0" (4.7 x 3.7 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 2.72 oz. (77.2 g)

unknown (possibly England)

This small hand specimen consists of a cluster of 5 or 6 nearly prismatic Barites. These crystals reach dimensions of 1.5 x 1.0 x 0.6" (3.7 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm) and are in fair condition at best due to considerable damage and breakage on most of the crystals. Their orthorhombic form, however, is excellent where intact, showing well-defined edges and very clean faces. All are colorless, transparent and very clear, and have a vitreous luster. There a small amount of calcite attached to its base.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.8 x 1.5" (5.6 x 4.7 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 13 g

21st Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A.

Several small Barite prisms rest on the calcareous base of this specimen. These crystals are generally in fair condition, as about half are damaged and broken. Those that are intact show excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with very clean faces and edges. All have a pale brown color and a bright pearly luster, and are transparent and moderately to extremely clear. They rest on a crust of protruding calcite crystals that are generally in good condition and have very good form. This crust partly coats the dark brown base. The piece strongly resembles portions of septarian nodules (fossilized mud balls) that I have seen.

Dims: 2.6 x 1.2 x 0.9" (6.6 x 3.1 x 2.2 cm)

Wt: 1.4 oz. (40 g)

El Solar Mine, Taxco, Guerrerro, Mexico

Scores of small Barite blades rest on the quartz-encrusted base of this hand specimen. These blades do not tend to exceed 0.4" (1 cm) in length or width and are generally in moderately good condition, as several spots of damage are visible. They tend to have excellent orthorhombic form and are aggregated in tight groups. Their pale gray color with a hint of blue and pearly luster are standard for the specie, and all are transparent and moderately clear, though the aggregates are usually translucent at their centers. The base rock is black and dull, and is almost completely covered by a druse of fine, transparent quartz crystals.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.4 x 1.0" (4.2 x 3.6 x 2.4 cm)

Wt: 1.9 oz. (54 g)

Stoneham, Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

Several thick Barite blades are arranged nearly parallel to each other and embedded in the calcite matrix of this hand specimen. These crystals reach a length of about 1.5" (3.8 cm) and are generally in good condition- one has obvious damage on one side of its termination, and another has been broken and repaired. All have excellent orthorhombic form, a gray-blue color and a pearly luster. They are transparent and dimly clear due to cloudiness and internal fractures. One or two smaller crystals rest nearby- one of these is in excellent condition.

Dims: 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.2" (2.6 x 1.2 x 0.6 cm)

Wt: 15 g

Weld County, Colorado, U.S.A.

This thumbnail piece is a single crystal that experienced some growth irregularities as it formed. It is in excellent condition, showing almost no damage, and has very good orthorhombic bladed form, though it shows some separation near its termination and multiple termination faces. It has the standard dull, gray-blue color and pearly luster of crystals from this locality, and is transparent and quite clear. The crystal is essentially free of host rock and is hot-glued into a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 1.1 x 0.5 x 0.4" (2.8 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 7 g

Book Cliffs, Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, U.S.A.

A single Barite crystal comprises this thumbnail specimen. It is in excellent condition, showing almost no fresh damage, and has exceptional orthorhombic prismatic form, even though its growth was interrupted in two places. Even the damage where it was broken at its base is partly healed over. It has a vitreous luster and is colorless, transparent and quite clear- a few internal fractures and inclusions are present, however. There is no host rock present, and it is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box with an adhesive putty.

Dims: 2.3 x 1.5 x 1.2" (5.8 x 3.8 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 2.5 oz. (72 g)

Machow Mine, Tarnobrzeg, Poland

A few sprays of golden Barite prisms are clustered together to form this hand specimen. Each spray is made up of scores of radiating crystals that are generally in pristine condition and measure up to 1.4" (3.6 cm) long. Their orthorhombic prismatic form is likewise excellent showing well-defined edges and terminations and clean faces that have a bright subadamantine luster. All are partly transparent, being cloudy at their bases and clear at their terminations, and have a golden coloration. A few of the sprays are partly coated with a crust of massive, pale-yellow sulfur.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.8 x 1.3" (5.3 x 4.5 x 3.2 cm)

Wt: 4.1 oz. (116 g)

Czemikovci, Sofia, Bulgaria

This specimen appears to consist of a large, round aggregate of intergrown Barite blades. This aggregate measures about 1.6" (4.1 cm) in diameter and is in good condition, showing light damage to its surface. Its surface consists of protruding clusters of small (0.3" or 8 mm in diameter) orthorhombic Barite blades that have a rusty-brown color and a pearly luster, and are translucent. I believe that this is the first specimen that we have had from Bulgaria.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.4 x 1.1" (5.2 x 3.7 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 2.2 oz. (62 g)

Northumberland Mine, Nye County, Nevada, U.S.A.

Scores of Barite prisms are clustered on the chalky shale base of this hand specimen. these crystals reach 0.8" (2 cm) in length and are generally in good condition- there is some light damage and a few are broken. All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form with sharp edges and clean faces that show a bright pearly luster. All have a dull gray color with a hint of brown and are transparent and dimly clear.

Dims: 3.9 x 2.6 x 1.4" (9.8 x 6.7 x 3.5 cm)

Wt: 7.9 oz. (223 g)

Hartzell, Colorado, U.S.A.

An aggregate of intergrown Barite blades makes up this cabinet specimen. The largest of these blades has dimensions of 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.2" (6.2 x 4.4 x 0.6 cm)- the others are generally aggregated into its base and are considerably smaller. They are generally in good condition- several smaller crystals are damaged or broken- and have very good orthorhombic form. Their color ranges from a deep gray blue to a dull gray and their luster is generally a dull, greasy-to-pearly. There is no base or host material present, and a few scraps of a rubbery glue remain on one edge where it was affixed to a base or stand.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.6 x 0.6" (4.7 x 4.0 x 1.4 cm)

Wt: 10 g

Essen, Germany

This small hand specimen consists of an arboreal formation of intergrown Barite blades. Though there are a few tiny spots of damage, these are difficult to see and the piece is otherwise in excellent condition. None of the blades exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in diameter and are somewhat rounded and uneven- their orthorhombic form is not obvious. All have a dull white color and a pearly luster, and are translucent and cloudy. There is no host rock present, and the piece may actually be stalactitic in habit. It was collected in 1960 by Fredrick Pough, a rather well-known collector and author of a field guide to rocks and minerals.

Dims: 5.6 x 3.8 x 3.2" (14.2 x 9.8 x 8.0 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 12.1 oz. (796 g)

Elk Creek, Meade County, South Dakota, U.S.A.

Six Barite prisms rest on the calcite-coated base of this unusual cabinet piece. Only 3 of these crystals are intact, and one of these has very minor damage on its tip. All have exceptional orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that show a vitreous luster. Their color is golden-brown and all are transparent and very clear. The base on which they rest is quite intriguing, as it comprises part of a septarian nodule, a fossilized mud ball. The yellow calcite druses that partly coat the mud lined hollows and crevices during and after the fossilization process.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.5" (2.2 x 2.1 x 1.4 cm)

Wt: 14 g w/ specimen box

Mesa County, Colorado, U.S.A.

This thumbnail specimen consists of a single Barite crystal that extends from a gray limestone base. The crystal is in excellent condition, showing no damage, and measures about 0.9" (2.2 cm) in length. Its orthorhombic prismatic form is excellent, showing sharp edges and clean faces, and is colorless, transparent and has a vitreous luster. Amazingly, it contains a few partial white phantoms- I have never seen such phantoms before in Barite. The piece is hot-glued into a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.8 x 1.5" (5.6 x 4.7 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 13 g

21st Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A.

Several small Barite prisms rest on the calcareous base of this specimen. These crystals are generally in fair condition, as about half are damaged and broken. Those that are intact show excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with very clean faces and edges. All have a pale brown color and a bright pearly luster, and are transparent and moderately to extremely clear. They rest on a crust of protruding calcite crystals that are generally in good condition and have very good form. This crust partly coats the dark brown base. The piece strongly resembles portions of septarian nodules (fossilized mud balls) that I have seen.

Dims: 4.77x3.44x1.98" (12.12x8.74x5.04cm)

Wt: 24.13oz (684g)

Xichuang, Sichuan, China

This is a barite specimen with classic crystal shapes. They are thick but flat parallelograms with stepped corners, barely transparent, vitreous but nearly waxy luster, and with a bluish-gray color. There are some colorless prismatic quartz crystals present as well. The largest crystals do have noticable damage to the points and edges.