Barite - Specimen

Mined from: Haut-Katanga or Lualaba copper belt region. Congo

Barite is barium sulfate, BaSO₄. Its name comes from the Greek for weight, because it is unusually heavy for a non-metallic mineral, with a density of about 4.5. It is soft, at 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale, and has a vitreous to resinous, sometimes pearly lustre.

Barite commonly forms well-shaped crystals, with more than 70 crystal forms recorded, usually as thin to thick tablets or prisms, and sometimes as crested or rosette-like clusters. It can be colourless, white, yellow, brown, grey or pale red, green or blue, and is often colour-zoned. It typically grows in low-temperature hydrothermal veins.

The Central African Copperbelt, which runs across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, is the world's largest sedimentary copper district and holds the world's largest cobalt reserves. Its ores lie in Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the Katangan Supergroup, roughly 880 to 600 million years old, which were laid down in a series of rift basins.

This one of a kind Barite mineral specimen from the Congo features a dramatic cluster of translucent to semi-translucent bladed crystals in creamy white, pale champagne, honey-gold, and warm amber tones. The specimen displays layered, tabular Barite blades arranged in a sculptural formation, with areas of earthy brown matrix and smaller intergrown crystal growths adding natural texture and contrast. Its broad crystal faces, stepped edges, and warm colour zoning give the piece a striking display presence, especially as a statement mineral specimen.

Barite, is a barium sulfate mineral known for its unusually high specific gravity, which gives it a noticeably heavy feel for its size. Its name comes from the Greek word barys, meaning “heavy.” Barite is found in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary deposits, and as a gangue mineral in many metallic ore environments. Congolese Barite specimens are often associated with the mineral-rich copper belt region, where hydrothermal activity produced a wide variety of collectible mineral combinations.

Spiritually, Barite is often associated with clarity, grounding, dream work, and spiritual alignment. Many collectors and crystal enthusiasts connect it with calming mental energy, helping bring scattered thoughts into focus while encouraging a steady, centered presence.

Chemical Composition: BaSO4

Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.