Barite with Galena

specimen number:
2062807

location:
Silius, South Sardinia, Sardinia, Italy

description:
Attractive lustrous amber colored prismatic crystals of terminated barite measuring to 3.2 cm in height set on matrix with minor galena. In very good condition. Choice example from this classic Sardinian locality. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

The Silius area in southeastern Sardinia features a major late-Paleozoic hydrothermal vein system hosted predominantly within older metamorphic and metavolcanic rock formations. The deposit is characterized by extensive sub-vertical veins containing massive accumulations of fluorite and barite, accompanied by quartz, calcite, and minor lead and zinc sulfides. Historically developed as one of the largest fluorspar deposits in Europe, underground mining operations began extensively in the mid-twentieth century, extracting substantial tonnages for industrial applications while also producing notable crystal specimens sought after by mineral collectors.

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