Mineral Species: Barite on Quartz

Chemical Formula: BaSO4

Chemical Name: Barium Sulfate

Mineral Class: Sulfate

Mineral Notes: Barite is easily identified by its heavy weight. Most similar minerals are much lighter. It tends to form well defined flattened crystals. Occasionally it forms large rounded mounds from precipitation of hot, barium-rich springs.

Description: A very pretty specimen of upright Quartz crystals whose tops are covered by drusy Barite. The Barite is extremely lustrous producing a myriad of reflections in bright light. Interestingly the Barite only covers one half of each Quartz crystal, leaving the other exposed. Close inspection shows that the termination of each Quartz crystal consists of Smoky Quartz. The colour of the Quartz and the orientation of the Barite mean that the specimen looks very different depending on the direction from which its is viewed. A nice mineral curiosity.

Location: Felsobanya, Baia Sprie, Romania.