Barite

specimen number:
2062108

location:
Lucy Mine, Negaunne, Marquette Co., Michigan, USA

description:
An excellent example from this old and well-known locality. Large white bladed crystals of barite across the top of a hematite matrix. The specimen comes with several previous labels, including one from the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan. In great condition.

The Lucy Mine in Marquette County, Michigan, was part of the early iron mining development of the Marquette Iron Range during the mid to late 19th century. Mining focused on hematite iron ore hosted in Precambrian rocks, with operations carried out through underground workings and surface excavations. Like many smaller mines in the region, the Lucy Mine contributed to the growth of the iron industry that supported expanding industrial production in the United States. Activity declined as larger and more efficient operations took over, and the mine eventually closed, remaining part of the historic mining heritage of northern Michigan.

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, is one of the premier mineral museums in the United States, with a history closely tied to the development of mining and geology in the Lake Superior region. The museum was established in the late 19th century and later named in honor of Arthur Edmund Seaman, a professor of mineralogy who played a key role in building the collection and advancing geological education at the university. Over time, the museum has grown to house an extensive collection of minerals, with particular strength in specimens from Michigan's Copper Country, including native copper and related minerals. It serves both as a public museum and an academic resource, supporting research, education, and outreach. Today, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum is recognized for its high quality displays and its importance in preserving the mineralogical heritage of the region.

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