Barita
Barita is a mineral with formula BaSO₄, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from Cantera Santa Matilde, Berja, Almería, Andalucía, España and joined the Terrium collection in 1998.
Description
Two cavities, like two eyes, well defined in black matrix, host acicular and tabular barite crystals, transparent, with pearly lustre and internal reddish tones. The slender, lustrous crystals are arranged in fans and form a very attractive coral-like texture.
History of this specimen
Collected by hand in 1998 by J.I.R. at the Santa Matilde Quarry.
About Barita
Barite is a barium sulphate that commonly crystallises in hydrothermal veins. Its habit ranges from tabular to prismatic; in this case, it shows an acicular form uncommon for this locality.
About the locality
The Santa Matilde Quarry forms part of the barite and sulphide workings of Sierra Almagrera, very active in the 20th century. Barite occurs in vugs and veins associated with late-stage hydrothermal processes.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0084
- Composition
- BaSO₄
- Name
- Barita
- Group
- Sulfatos
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Roca volcánica oscura
- Mine
- Cantera Santa Matilde
- District / Municipality
- Berja
- Province
- Almería
- Region
- Andalucía
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 5 x 4 x 1.5
- Weight
- 53.3 g
- Acquired
- 1998
- Ex-collection
- Jose Ignacio Ramos
- Etymology
- From the Greek "barys", 'heavy', in reference to its high density.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España