Barite with Marcasite Slab DS1623 For Sale

Barite with Marcasite Slab DS1623

Barite with Marcasite Slab
Approx. Dimensions: 5.5x2x0.5 inches
Approx. Weight: 254 grams
Locality: Lubin Mine, Legnica, Lower Silesia, Poland
This lovely barite slab from Poland is polished on one side. It has a thick crust of marcasite on the top edge, and the brown barite is chatoyant as well as phosphorescent! When exposed to a long-wave UV light, the barite will fluoresce but also hold that fluorescent charge for a few seconds after the UV light is gone. Includes acrylic slab stand.

Barite from Poland is renowned for its exceptional quality and abundance, with notable deposits primarily located in regions such as the Silesian Voivodeship and the Holy Cross Mountains. The mineral, also known as baryte, forms in sedimentary rocks and hydrothermal veins, often associated with lead-zinc ores. Historically, Poland has been a significant producer of barite, with mining operations dating back centuries, particularly in the Silesian region. Chemically, barite is a barium sulfate mineral, distinguished by its high specific gravity and low hardness. Polish barite is valued for its purity and suitability for various industrial applications, including oil and gas drilling, paint production, and medical diagnostics. The country’s barite deposits continue to be actively mined, contributing to both domestic and international markets.