Barite (classic material) (ex Henry de Linde Collection)

Item Description

Some of the finest blue Barite crystals from any locality in the world are those from the Stoneham area in Colorado. The distinctive blue color along with the fine crystallization and excellent gemminess of the crystals is impressive for the species and a hallmark of the material. This specimen was most likely mined in the 1970s, but it's hard to say for sure as a lot of the discoveries in this area look alike. This piece is features a few attractive prismatic crystals with sharp, lustrous well-formed faces and that classic steel blue color. There isn't any major damage, but there are a few spots of with just a bit of attached host rock that interrupted the growth of the Barites, and a few tiny contacts, but it's still in really good shape. The gemminess in areas is quite impressive as there are small areas where it's virtually WATER CLEAR inside. These specimens are rarely seen on the market now and are true classics from Colorado. From the collection of Henry de Linde (March 21, 1923 – April 4, 2019) of Hot Spring, Arkansas. Henry was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Arkansas mining and mineral collecting. Along with being a miner, mineral collector and an amateur mineralogist, de Linde was one of the founders of the Coon Creek Association mineral club. He was the owner of several key localities in Arkansas including the Diamond Jo Quarry (on the south rim of Magnet Cove), the type locality for Delindeite, which was named in his honor in 1987.