TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Barita

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

Barita from Mina San Camilo, Vistalegre, Murcia, Región de Murcia, España — Terrium

Description

La acunadora. Arborescent growth of white tabular crystals with a slight blue-grey tint. Parallel-divergent habit, stepped terminations, and striated texture. Two localised cream spots; associations showing white UV response. Anthropomorphic aspect, resembling a figure carrying something in outstretched arms.

History of this specimen

I note strong pareidolia. It has its own entry on FMF https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/download.php?id=14536

About Barita

Barite is a barium sulphate very common in nature but not always with quality crystals. This is the most characteristic habit of the San Camilo mine.

About the locality

San Camilo, in the Murcian diputación of Vistalegre, is a classic locality for its white and bluish barites, often with parallel or branched growths.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0237
Composition
BaSO₄
Name
Barita
Group
Sulfatos
Category
Meritum Persé
Associations
Calcita
Mine
Mina San Camilo
District / Municipality
Vistalegre
Province
Murcia
Region
Región de Murcia
Country
España
Size (cm)
7 x 4 x 3
Acquired
2025
Ex-collection
Diego Navarro
Etymology
From the Greek "barys", heavy, for its high density.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

Related specimens

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