Barite on Dolomite, Peru
A thumbnail-sized Barite Crystal on pink Dolomite from Cerro Huarihuayín in Huanuco, Peru.
Size: 36 x 32 x 13
Weight: 8 g
A thumbnail-sized Barite Crystal on pink Dolomite from Cerro Huarihuayín in Huanuco, Peru.
Size: 36 x 32 x 13
Weight: 8 g
A thumbnail-sized Barite Crystal on pink Dolomite from Cerro Huarihuayín in Huanuco, Peru.
Size: 36 x 32 x 13
Weight: 8 g
Barite is a barium sulfate mineral (BaSO4), and Peru is known for its beautiful crystals, particularly those found at Cerro Huarihuayín (also pronounced: Warihuyn, Huarihuyn) in the Miraflores District, Huánuco. This barite, a barium sulfate mineral (BaSO4), exhibits a wide range of colors and crystal habits and is sought after by collectors for its aesthetic qualities.
Huánuco barite is known for its wide range of colors, which can include colorless, white, light shades of blue, yellow, grey, and brown. It often forms tabular, fibrous, nodular, or massive crystals and may exhibit perfect cleavage parallel to the base and prism faces.
The barites from Cerro Huarihuayín are glassy and sharp with excellent crystal development, translucent to transparent, and some excellent color (particularly the honey-colored ones). Unlike most of the classic Peruvian localities, this one is not one of the polymetallic mines in the Andes. Rather, this is an occurrence that was discovered and is being worked on by local villagers. The mine has produced thousands of beautiful specimens since 2005. The specific location is remote, and many specimens have been damaged during transport over rough terrain. Most available are damaged to some degree. However, we have access to beautiful specimens