3.5" Lustrous Bladed Blue Barite Crystals on Marcasite - Morocco

This is a cluster of sharp bladed barite crystals with pale-blue coloration, collected from the Bou Nahas Mine in Morocco. They formed in association with aggregates of quartz crystals, all over a bed of marcasite crystals.

Barite, commonly spelled baryte, is well-known for its great range of colors and varied crystal forms and habits. = It is a heavy mineral consisting of barium sulfate, and typically has the chemical formula of BaSO4. The barite group consists of baryte, celestine, anglesite, and anhydrite. It is generally white to colorless and is the main source of barium.

Marcasite is an iron sulfide mineral with the chemical formula FeS2. It is similar to pyrite in both its chemical composition and appearance, but it forms an entirely different crystal structure and is much more reactive to humidity. It is often found within sedimentary rock and hydrothermal deposits, and at one point was used for its sulfur content.

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DETAILS
SPECIES
Barite, Marcasite & Quartz
LOCATION
Bou Nahas Mine, Alnif Cercle, Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
SIZE
3.5 x 2.1"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#248092