This specimen features a chisel-terminated barite crystal from the renowned Niobec Mine in Quebec, a classic locality for fine barite specimens. The crystal is sharp and nearly pristine, showcasing double terminations with excellent translucence and lustrous faces. Its slightly orange-brown hue is complemented by well-defined beveled edges and minimal edge wear. A subtle "peppering" of oxidized pyrite microcrystals on some of the surface.
The Niobec Mine, primarily mined for niobium (a rare earth element), is also known for its remarkable mineral specimens such as this. Solution cavities in the host limestone occasionally produced exceptionally large barite crystals, some reaching up to 40 cm in length and 20 kg in weight. This specimen is a good example of the barites from this location. For further context on the locality and similar specimens, refer to the 1981 Mineralogical Record (Vol. 12, No. 6), which provides an in-depth overview of Niobec’s mineralogical contributions.
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