3.6" Yellow Fluorite on Orange Barite Blade Crystals Minerals Taouirirt Morocco
Location: Taouirirt, Morocco
Weight: 6.3 Ounces
Dimension: 3.6 Inches Long, 2.4 Inches Wide, 1.3 Inches Thick
The Item Pictured is the one you will receive.
Fluorite, a striking calcium fluoride mineral, captivates with its vivid hues, flawless octahedral cleavage, and often cubic crystals. Morocco is a powerhouse for top-tier fluorite, prized by collectors and industry alike. Born from dynamic hydrothermal forces shaped by tectonic upheavals and magmatic activity, Moroccan fluorite primarily emerges in the Anti-Atlas Mountains amid lead-zinc-barite veins. These minerals crystallize as fluorine-rich fluids cool, frequently near granitic intrusions. Additional veins appear in the Central Massif and High Atlas, where sedimentary rocks transform through metasomatism. Exhibiting stunning clarity and colors from deep purple to fiery yellow, Moroccan fluorite reveals its drama through twinned crystals, color zoning, and intense UV fluorescence—making it a bold treasure for any mineral enthusiast.
Barite, consisting of barium sulfate (), occurs in diverse geological environments throughout Morocco, establishing the country as a significant source of this industrial mineral. It is commonly found within hydrothermal veins, sedimentary layers, and as an accessory mineral in lead-zinc ore deposits.
Barite deposits in Morocco are mainly found in regions such as the Anti-Atlas Mountains, including Jbel Ouichane and Bou Azzer. These areas are notable for abundant barite often found with other metallic minerals. Most deposits form through hydrothermal activity, where hot fluids rich in minerals move through fractures, depositing barite as they cool and interact with surrounding rocks. Less frequently, sedimentary barite deposits appear, typically linked to marine evaporite formations.
Moroccan barite is valued for its versatility across various industries. Its high density is especially important for use as a weighting agent in drilling fluids during oil and gas exploration, making it a key material worldwide. Additionally, barite serves as a filler in paints, plastics, and rubber, acts as a white pigment, and is used in medical imaging due to barium’s ability to block X-rays. The quality and availability of barite from Morocco play a crucial role in its prominence within the global mineral market.
