Re: Baryte, Namibia

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Baryte
BaSO4 Orthorhombic

Baryte from Namibia

Baryte, Rosh Pinah, Karas Region, Namibia, 10cm	© Bill Dameron

Namibia is one of the top localities for collectors of fine mineral specimens and also for species collectors. Barite is usually not thought of in connection with Namibia, because it is unusual on the market. While barite from Tsumeb is much sought after, because is rare from this famous locality, the best known barites from Namibia come from the Rosh Pinah lead-zinc mine in the Karas Region. The definitive reference for minerals from Namibia (as a whole) is "Namibia, Minerals and Localities" by Ludi von Bezing, Rainer Bode and Steffen Jahn. Not for the weakling, this very high quality German publication (available in English) weighs in at nearly 10 pounds, and is one of the best mineral locality books available (if one wants great pictures in addition to detailed information). Publications and websites devoted to Tsumeb number in the hundreds; many of the websites are not kept up to date, alas. Georg Gebhard's book on Tsumeb (Tsumeb II; he wrote an earlier version), is invaluable for any collector.


Barite
Namibia
Erongo, Brandberg District, Goboboseb Mountains

A more precise locality is not available, but "Namibia, Minerals and Localities" by Ludi von Bezing et. al. notes barite is found and has a picture of thin white blades, not unattractive, to 2 cm.


Barite
Namibia
Karas Region, Gross Brukkaros



(This locality is not yet in MinDat but we are working on it. Namibia, Minerals and Localities, Ludi von Bezing, Rainer Bode and Steffen Jahn, describes barite from the area; Bruce Cairncross' Field Guide to Rocks & Minerals of Southern Africa does also, and MR Vol. 18, 1987, p.367 describes barites exactly like this specimen from "Brukoros Mountains", as does MR Vol. 21, 1990, p.490, from "Brucheros, north of Keetsmanhoop.”) Specimens unusual on the market but can be attractive; mainly dark yellow prismatic crystals, reportedly to at least 10 cm, somewhat frosted. Gross Brukkaros is a landmark old volcano in the Keetmanskoop (of prehnite fame) area of Karas, in the south. This particular specimen is a large thumbnail, ex-Charlie Key, labeled Gross Brukkaros. The nub on top is second generation barite.


Barite
Namibia
Karas Region, Lüderitz District, Rosh Pinah, Rosh Pinah mine

Baryte, Rosh Pinah, 10.7 cm high	© Rob Lavinsky

This large lead-zinc mine is very near the South African border. The barite occurs most frequently as thin blades, light golden in color, to several centimeters in closely packed groups with no other specimen minerals present. Occasionally these crystals are thicker. In 1987 some wonderful orange sprays of barite in fans were discovered, to 10 cm, considered the best barites from Namibia. One of these is pictured at the top of this article.


Barite
Namibia
Kunene Region, Kaokoveld Plateau, Omaue mine

This locality also has produced small but very attractive barite specimens, amber transparent doubly terminated blades to 4 cm with dioptase (see "Namibia, Minerals and Localities" by Ludi von Bezing, et. al. page 466, and also mentioned in Cairncross.


Barite
Namibia
Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Tsumeb, Tsumeb mine



According to Georg Gebhard, the good barites from Tsumeb were all from 100 to 300 meters below the surface. They are a glossy brown with orange/yellow highlights and associated with small scalenohedons of milky to clear calcite. Because there are so many Tsumeb collectors, these are much sought after. They also occur as brown opaque crystals, and as a different habit altogether: elongated prismatic opaque crystals to 9 cm (see "The Desmond Sacco Collection, Focus on Southern Africa" by Bruce Cairncross, p. 160.


Barite
Namibia
Otjozondjupa Region, Otjiwarongo District, Okorusu Mine (Okarusu Mine)



This famous fluorite locality has barite in at least two habits. The more common is as clear, thin small blades, not usually good specimen material. The thick tabular white crystals, in this specimen to 1.5 cm, are not particularly outstanding as barites, but they rest on some of the world's best fluorite, making for great combination specimens – if you can find one.

1. Namibia, Minerals and Localities, Ludi von Bezing, Rainer Bode and Steffen Jahn
2. The Desmond Sacco Collecdtion, Focus on Southern Africa, Bruce Cairncross
3. Tsumeb II, Georg Gebhard



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Edited 39 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2012 08:47PM by Rock Currier.