Rhodochrosite & Baryte

This is an interesting combo, old-time find probably in early 2000s. When the first time I saw it,I knew I have to get it. Rhodochrosite and baryte are common, what makes it uncommon is that they are together. More combos are found recently but with different style.

Rhodochrosites in China are usually found withtungsten–tin (W–Sn) mineralization and shallower Ag–Pb–Zn deposits in the Nanling range such as Wutong (this locality), and Jvbankeng etc., isotopic studies at Wutong indicate that a single crustal-derived fluid was responsible for mineralization at low pressure and temperature （∼200–300 °C). The source of both rhodochrosite and baryte looks like sedimentary origin, or hybriding of fluids that precipitated these minerals when mixing. The associate Late Yanshanian (Cretaceous) S-type granites (granites that derived from melting of sedimentary rocks), which derived from Proterozoic crust may also provide some clues of local sediments.

I should have reshoot the photo as it doesn't show the lustrous and the gemminess of baryte.

Baryte on Rhodochrosite from Wutong Mine, Liubao, Cangwu Co., Wuzhou, Guangxi, China

3.2 cm, Tom Zhang Coll & Photo