Baryte stalactites (rare style old classic)

Item Description

Stout, glassy, translucent, colorless barite spearpoints form an impressive, sculptural and rich large specimen. Many of the blades are intergrown, parallel-growth clusters with striking sawtoothed edges. This showy piece is from a classic England locality - the Settlingstones Mine, Northumberland. The preferential dusting of iron oxides adds color and contrast. This exceptional piece is in super shape, with the attachments featuring a major surprise! The barite crystal columns are actually stalactites! Two attachment faces reveal the hollow tubes, where the precipitating barium-rich fluids flowed! Historic, rare, old-time material, probably around 100 years old or older. From an East Coast collection. Valued at $1000.