Baryte

Well-developed rhombic blades of cream-white Baryte crystals to 2.8 cm on edge cover a 1 to 2 cm thick calcite plate containing occasional granular sulphides such as chalcopyrite and Arsenopyrite.  From Banska Stiavnica in the Banska Bystrica Region of Slovakia, the Baryte crystals have developed at various random angles to the base and frequently intersect each other.  Most of the blades have a glassy lustre, but some have a non-reflective matt finish with just a 1 to 2 mm wide band parallel to their edges of a glassy texture.  An excellent Baryte from this ancient silver mining district of Slovakia which dates back to the 3rd century BC when it was first exploited by the Celts.