Barite

specimen number:
2341296

location:
Ouichane Mines, Jebel Ouichane, Guelaia Cercle, Nador, Oriental, Morocco

description:

Choice miniature sized cluster with attractive blue gemmy lustrous bladed barite crystals, very little attached matrix throughout. In great condition all around. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Jan Erik Larsen.

The Ouichane Mines at Jebel Ouichane in northeastern Morocco are situated within a complex iron-skarn geological system formed by intrusive activity interacting with carbonate host rocks. Originally developed commercially for iron ore extraction starting in the early 20th century, the district later gained international renown among mineral collectors for producing exceptional blue barite specimens. These striking blue, bladed barite crystals grew within open cavities, vugs, and fractured zones inside the heavily oxidized iron and gossan matrix, representing a late-stage hydrothermal mineralizing pulse that transformed a historic industrial iron mining region into a world-class source for fine mineral display pieces.

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