Specifications
Description
Locality: Mibladen mining district, Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Mibladen lies about 25 km northeast of the town of Midelt, between Morocco's High Atlas and Middle Atlas mountains. Its deposit of barite and lead ore sits in Jurassic (Liassic) limestones and dolomites. Lead deposits there were first reported in 1907, and the Société des Mines d'Aouli worked the area from 1926.
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.
After the industrial lead mines closed, between about 1976 and 1980 depending on the account, former miners turned to digging mineral specimens. Today miners around Mibladen still search for barite, as well as vanadinite and cerussite, and sell them through dealers in Midelt.
This one-of-a-kind black barite mineral specimen from Morocco features a dramatic cluster of dark smoky-grey to nearly black barite crystals with glassy luster, blocky tabular form, and areas of reddish-brown iron staining. The crystals show strong geometric faces with a mix of broad flat terminations, stepped growth, and smaller overlapping crystal forms. Pale cream to yellowish matrix and lighter translucent crystal areas add contrast against the darker barite, giving the specimen a bold, sculptural look from every angle.
The chronicle of barite spans over four centuries, beginning with its discovery as a phosphorescent curiosity in Renaissance Italy and culminating in its current status as a coveted collector stone. A striking variety of barite, this barium sulfate mineral has been valued for its weight, luster, and distinctive crystal formations. While barite occurs in many colors, black specimens are especially admired for their dramatic appearance, often forming in bladed, tabular, or clustered crystal habits with deep charcoal to jet-black tones. These darker colors are caused by natural inclusions within the mineral as it forms.
Spiritually, barite is often associated with clarity, alignment, spiritual connection, and grounding through higher awareness. Black or smoky barite is especially appealing to collectors who like darker protective-looking minerals, and it is often viewed as a stone for focus, energetic clearing, and staying centered during inner work.
Chemical Composition: BaSO4
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.