Barite

specimen number:
2133198

location:
Lahosf, Teplice, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic

description:
Blocky deep amber colored crystals of barite measuring to 0.5 cm in size across matrix. In good condition.

The Lahosf mine, located near Teplice in the Usti nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic, is a famous locality for aesthetic barite crystals. Geologically, the deposit is part of the Teplice rhyolite complex, where hydrothermal mineralization occurred along faults and fissures within volcanic rocks. The barite typically forms as honey-yellow to brownish-amber tabular crystals, often exhibiting high transparency and a glassy luster. Historically, the site was primarily an underground mine operated for the extraction of fluorite and barite, with significant production occurring during the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1950s through the late 1980s. Regarding radioactivity, the barite from this locality is indeed known to be slightly radioactive in many specimens. This is due to the presence of trace amounts of radium, which can substitute for barium in the crystal lattice (radiobarite). While the levels are generally low and not considered a health hazard for casual handling, they are sufficient to be detected by a Geiger counter and are a well-documented characteristic of the Lahofer material.

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