Detailed information
Species
Baryte
Dimensions
54 x 46 x 40
mm
Locality
Clara Mine, Rankach Valley Oberwolfach, Black Forest Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Condition
No recorded repairs
A superb, large miniature of well-formed, stout-prismatic Baryte crystals from Clara mine in the Rankach Valley of Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany. Clara began operating as long ago as 1726 and is still in production today. It is famous for its 469 different mineral species, for which it is type locality to 15. This mine is also well known because of its excellent policy of dumping freshly mined material in areas on surface where collectors are allowed dig for a nominal fee. I've done this myself and what terrific fun it is. The Baryte in the aesthetic specimen varies from gemmy to opaque, this as result of inclusions of red-brown Limonite, which produces at least three zoned phantoms. The large central Baryte crystal measures 3.7 cm, emerging vertically from a cluster of smaller yet excellent Baryte crystals.