Detailed information
Species
Baryte
Dimensions
79 x 69 x 67
mm
Locality
Elk Creek Dalzell, Meade County South Dakota, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
Known for over a century, the septarian nodules of the Pierre Shale in Elk Creek in Meade County, South Dakota continue to produce some of the finest gem-quality Baryte crystals ever seen. A sedimentary bed, anyone familiar with collecting minerals from sedimentary nodules will know how many have to be broken to find even a reasonable specimen, and to get one as good as this requires considerable time, effort and skill as to not damage the freestanding Baryte crystals. This very aesthetic specimen from Elk Creek features four main, super-gemmy, amber-coloured bladed Baryte crystals on the classic matt, mustard yellow Calcite layer coating the nodule. These crystals all reach over 4.5 cm in length and are in perfect condition, with exceptionally sharp terminations. A few smaller, paler, transparent Baryte crystals are seen in the background. The only damage of note on this superb small cabinet-sized display specimen is to the Calcite crust around the edges of the display face, but the Baryte crystals themselves are stunning.