Barite

Baryte from Pöhla-Tellerhäuser mine at Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany is extremely distinctive with its intense amber colour and bladed orthorhombic crystal habit. This miniature-sized aggregate of Baryte crystals presents this classic form perfectly with a main 4 cm tall crystal from which several smaller crystals fan out. These crystals have bright translucent glassy interiors with slightly matt chisel-shaped terminations. Close inspection under magnification reveals that there are tiny 'mouse-bite' abrasions to some of the edges and corners of the Baryte crystals, but these do not overly detract from the beauty of this German classic.