Calcite with Barite

specimen number:
1655489

location:
Moscona Mine, Austurias, Spain

description:
Colorless lustrous translucent rhombohedral crystals of calcite measuring to almost 3.0 cm in size covering matrix with small tabular crystals of barite scattered throughout.

The Moscona Mine is located near Solis in the Corvera de Asturias municipality of northern Spain. Geologically, it is a classic example of a Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) fluorite deposit hosted within the Villaviciosa Group, specifically in Jurassic-aged carbonate rocks. The mineralization occurred when hydrothermal fluids moved through porous limestone and dolostone, depositing fluorite along with calcite, dolomite, and minor sulfides like barite and cinnabar. Historically, the mine began industrial operations in the mid-1970s and remains one of Europe's most significant producers of acid-grade fluorite. For mineral collectors, Moscona is world-famous for its aesthetic "honey-yellow" fluorite crystals, which often form as sharp cubes with a characteristic high luster. These crystals are frequently found in association with white, bladed calcite or "saddle-shaped" dolomite, creating a striking visual contrast. The deposit is particularly noted for the size and clarity of its fluorite pockets, which can reach several meters in diameter. Despite being an active industrial site, the mine has consistently provided the international market with some of the finest yellow fluorite specimens ever discovered, defining the standard for the species in the Asturias region.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.