Barite

specimen number:
1052727

location:
Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron, Occitanie, France

description:
Colorless blocky lustrous and mostly gemmy crystals of barite to 1.0 cm in size across the top of matrix. In good condition with minimal damage present. At one time specimen was part of the collection of Wilhelm point year and dates to the 19th century.

Wilhelm Hoyer (1849-1913) was a prominent German engineer and mineral collector based in Hanover, whose professional work in railway construction and geology facilitated the assembly of a significant mineralogical collection. Geologically, Hoyer was noted for his deep expertise in the Mesozoic formations of northwestern Germany, particularly the Hildesheim area, where he meticulously documented and collected specimens from active quarries and construction sites. His collection was scientifically important for its comprehensive representation of regional minerals and fossils, reflecting the systematic approach of 19th-century European collectors who bridged the gap between industrial mining and academic mineralogy. Historically, Hoyer was active in the latter half of the 1800s and early 1900s, contributing numerous papers to geological societies and maintaining professional ties with major institutions of his era. Following his death, his extensive mineralogical and paleontological holdings were integrated into the collections of the University of Gottingen and the Prussian Geological Survey in Berlin, where they continue to serve as vital reference materials for researchers through 2026.

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