Barite on Quartz after Calcite

specimen number:
2312631

location:
Baia Sprie, Maramures Co., Romania

description:

Interesting specimen showing a large crystallized grouping of quartz replacing completely previous scalenohedral calcite crystals, the top of this hosting gemmy water clear colorless crystals of tabular barite measuring to 3.0 cm in size. Very slight damage present, this still in good condition. The hollow nature as a result of the missing calcite crystals is observed in the video.

Baia Sprie, historically known by the Hungarian name Felsobanya, was first officially documented in 1329 and developed into a major medieval mining center for gold, silver, and base metals under Hungarian and Habsburg administration. Large-scale underground and surface mining operations continued for centuries until the active commercial exploitation of its metal deposits ceased in 2007. Geologically, the area is situated within the Neogene volcanic chain of the Gutai Mountains in the Baia Mare metallogenic district. The local geology is characterized by complex Neogene volcanic structures cutting through sedimentary and metamorphic basement rocks, hosting world-renowned hydrothermal vein systems rich in diverse polymetallic sulfide and precious metal mineral assemblages.

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