3.2" Blue Bladed Barite Crystal Clusters On Calcite - Morocco

This is a spectacular, specimen of bladed blue barite that formed in association with calcite. The calcite encrusts most of the matrix, with a gorgeous, 1.25" wide cluster of blue bladed barite that formed over the calcite. The entire specimen measures 3.2 x 2.3" and it was collected from the Nador Province of Morocco.

About Barite (Baryte)

Barite is a barium sulfate mineral (BaSO₄) known for its high specific gravity, which makes it unusually heavy for a non-metallic mineral. Typically forming in tabular or bladed crystals, barite can also appear in massive, fibrous, or nodular habits. Its colors range from colorless and white to shades of blue, yellow, gray, or brown, often influenced by trace impurities. Barite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, and as a gangue mineral in lead-zinc ore deposits. It is widely used in industrial applications, especially as a weighting agent in drilling muds for oil and gas exploration. Its striking crystal formations and vivid hues also make it a popular mineral for collectors.

About Calcite Crystals

Calcite crystals are a form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) known for their diverse shapes, transparency, and vibrant range of colors. They typically form in rhombohedral, scalenohedral, or prismatic shapes, often with well-defined, sharp edges and glossy surfaces. Calcite crystals are often translucent or transparent, sometimes displaying a double refraction effect where objects viewed through the crystal appear doubled. They can appear in various colors—white, clear, yellow, pink, blue, green, and orange—depending on impurities or trace minerals.

A notable characteristic of calcite is its reaction with weak acids like vinegar, which causes it to effervesce, or fizz, as it releases carbon dioxide. This property makes calcite crystals a key tool in geological identification and studies. Calcite forms in many environments, from sedimentary rocks like limestone and marble to hydrothermal veins.

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DETAILS
SPECIES
Barite & Calcite
LOCATION
Jebel Ouichane, Sagangane, Guelaia Cercle, Nador Province, Oriental Region, Morocco
SIZE
Entire specimen 3.2 x 2.3", Barite cluster is 1.25" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#204048