TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Barita Azul

Barita is a mineral with formula BaSO₄, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Teresita, Atamaría, Cartagena, Región de Murcia, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Barita Azul from Mina Teresita, Atamaría, Cartagena, Región de Murcia, España — Terrium

Description

Large, very thick, well-defined blue-grey tabular crystals on a limonitic matrix, ochre with earthy texture.

History of this specimen

Purchased directly from the miner Mariano Vallés at the 2025 La Unión Festival—the very edition where the new, super-lustrous blue barites made their debut, which everyone identifies as "Mina San Jorge" (but are actually from "Los Templarios").

About Barita

Barite is a barium sulphate valued for the range of colours it can show. Bluish tones, uncommon, place it among the more attractive variants of the species.

About the locality

Mina Teresita, in Atamaría (Cartagena), is a classic of the La Unión–Cartagena mining district. Its blue barites with thick, robust crystals on limonite are regarded as typical reference specimens.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0168
Composition
BaSO₄
Name
Barita
Variety
Azul
Group
Sulfatos
Category
Meritum Persé
Matrix
Limonita
Mine
Mina Teresita
District / Municipality
Atamaría
Province
Cartagena
Region
Región de Murcia
Country
España
Size (cm)
8.5 x 7.5 x 3.5
Weight
212 g
Acquired
2025
Ex-collection
Mariano Vallés
Etymology
From the Greek "barys", 'heavy', for its high density.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Al alza

Related specimens

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