Barite

61 x 48 x 42 mm overall

A nice rosette of translucent to gemmy greyish- to golden-crystals of Barite is perched on tan matrix. The rosette measures 48 x 42 x 31 mm in size, and many small gemmy Barite singles and clusters also accent the matrix. The outer edges of the larger Barites are quite transparent, show distinct zoning and have nice luster. The Barite also fluoresces yellow-white under UV illumination. There are two contacts at the edges, and one broken crystal on the reverse, none of which are obvious. Purchased in Tucson in 1992 from Dr. Reinhard Wagner, a Brazilian professor at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil. These are not available on the market anymore. It is very difficult to photograph due to all the angles, and is much better in person.