BARYTE

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

It never fails to amaze me how certain mineral species, even relatively common ones, can develop in such distinctive forms unique to an individual region, or deposit. Baryte from Pöhla-Tellerhäuser mine, Schwarzenberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany is one perfect example as demonstrated by this specimen. It is a small miniature specimen dominated by a cluster of wonderful orthorhombic Baryte crystals that based on shape alone could be from somewhere like the famous West Cumbrian iron mines, but when one adds in the colour, they become unique. Yes, amber coloured glassy Baryte crystals of this shape do come from Cumbria, but never this intense golden amber colour, it is just too distinctive to Pöhla-Tellerhäuser mine. A simply wonderful, glowing, classic Baryte.