Baryte (w. smithsonite)

TSNB830
Specimen
Maucher, W.
Exhibit 1. Baryte (w. smithsonite); 50 mm.
Exhibit 1. Baryte (w. smithsonite); 50 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood; courtesy of the NHM London
Exhibit 2. Baryte (w. smithsonite); 50 mm.
Exhibit 2. Baryte (w. smithsonite); 50 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood; courtesy of the NHM London
Exhibit 3. Specimen label (Maucher).
Exhibit 3. Specimen label (Maucher).
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood; courtesy of the NHM London
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Specimen Title

Baryte (w. smithsonite)

Associated Minerals

galena; pyrite; smithsonite; sphalerite

Principal Mineral

Baryte

Size

Miniature; 50mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone

Provenance

Maucher, W.

Collection

NHM London; BM.1924,985

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB830

Description

Tabular, pseudo-hexagonal crystals of orange-brown baryte (to 14 mm), on a matrix of sulphide minerals. The baryte is partly overgrown by colourless-grey trigonal sheaves (to 6 mm) of smithsonite (exhibits 1 and 2). Galena, pyrite and sphalerite are visibly distinguishable in the sulphide matrix.


The specimen was purchased from Wilhelm Maucher (of Munich) in 1924 which dates it unequivocally to the first oxidation zone. Maucher’s label (Exhibit 3) describes the smithsonite as occurring in "partly orientated groups". The specimen is closely similar to a specimen in the Wilhelm Klein Collection (MGMH 127326; see TSNB836), which Klein attributed to 6 Level.