Messing Minerals

Specimen #440

Name: Barite on Fluorite

Type: Mineral

Locality: Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, USA

Favorite? Y

Fluorescent? N

Size: 10.5 x 6 x 2.5 cm.

Weight: 254

Acquired: 2007-05-05

Source: UC Minerals

Label: Y

Comment: This is a very difficult specimen to photograph...it is much better in person than the photo shows. It consists of a white barite cluster perched on top of a translucent bluish-purple stepped fluorite cube. The fluorite is terminated on the back side as well...it appears to be a healed cleavage face. The specimen is in excellent condition and measures 10.5 cm tall. The back side of the barite is broken where it was apparently removed from the pocket wall.

Minerals: Barite (BaSO₄) Fluorite (CaF₂)