Mined from: Xinyang Mine, Xinyang, Henan Province, China

Description: This golden barite specimen displays sharply defined tabular crystals in warm hues ranging from honey-yellow to deep amber. The interlocking clusters show a brilliant glassy luster, with gemmy edges fading into softly frosted centers that create a natural depth and warmth. Crystals often rest against pale dolomite or quartz matrix, a contrast that highlights their orthorhombic symmetry and refined structure.

Barite (BaSO₄) is a barium sulfate mineral recognized for its substantial weight and perfect cleavage, but specimens from China’s Hunan Province reveal its more aesthetic side. These golden varieties, originating from regions such as Xikuangshan and the Meikle-type deposits, formed through hydrothermal processes within antimony-rich veins. While barite has long served industrial purposes—from oil drilling to medical imaging—the emergence of these vividly colored Chinese examples in the early 2000s introduced a new chapter in its appreciation among collectors. Their sharp form and transparency stand as hallmarks of a particularly refined geological environment.

Though not traditionally revered in Chinese mineralogy, golden barite has since gained a symbolic reputation for prosperity and steadfast energy. Local miners sometimes refer to it as “yellow stone gold,” an apt nod to both its color and weight. Unlike the denser, blockier barites of Morocco or Nevada, Chinese golden barite often forms in elegant, fan-like sprays or isolated crystal plates—each piece a delicate study in light, balance, and geological craftsmanship.

Quantity: 1pc

With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph. We do what we can to buy good quality products and price them honestly. The rocks may differ from the photos, but we hope we do them justice.