3.8" Tabular, Yellow Barite Crystal - China

This is a large tabular, yellow barite crystal that was collected from the Xiefang Mine in Jiangxi, China. Much of the time these barite crystals from this mine are associated with quartz crystals on matrix, however this large barite crystal has been removed from its matrix and cleaned.

Barite sometimes spelled Baryte (Barium sulfate) is well-known for its great range of colors and varied crystal habits. It is easily identifiable by its heavy weight, since most similar minerals are much lighter. It occurs in a large number of depositional environments, and is deposited through a large number of processes including biogenic, hydrothermal, and evaporation, among others