Barite

specimen number:
2292366

location:
Clara Mine, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

description:

Colorless gemmy crystals of barite measuring to just over 1.0 cm in size across the top of matrix. In good condition.

The Clara Mine, located near Oberwolfach in the Freiburg region of southwestern Germany, is an active underground mine situated in the Black Forest. Geologically, the deposit consists of hydrothermal baryte and fluorite veins hosted within gneiss and Triassic sandstone. These mineral veins, which locally reach widths of up to twelve meters, formed during multiple distinct mineralization episodes that introduced a diverse range of elements, leading to the crystallization of over four hundred different mineral species. Historically, mining in the area dates back to at least 1652 with early, short-lived attempts to extract copper and silver. Modern industrial operations began in 1898 to target baryte, with fluorite extraction starting in the mid-twentieth century. Today, it continues to operate as one of the last active mines in the Black Forest, supplying raw materials for industrial applications.

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