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Barite is a sulfate mineral composed of barium, sulfur and oxygen. In this specimen, the barite formed bluish-white, tabular crystals. In the deep ocean barite precipitates and forms a significant portion of ocean sediment. Because barite has oxygen it can be used to determine the temperature of oceanic crust in sea floor core samples. Barite has many other uses too: weighting agent in oil and gas drilling fluids, filler in paint and plastics, sound dampener in engine compartments, glass and ceramics, radiation-shielding cement, and so much more.
Fluorite is a halide mineral composed of calcium and fluoride. The tiny, dark green fluorite in this specimen are cube-shaped crystals. Fluorite has several uses as well: as flux for smelting, in glasses for microscopes and telescopes, in enamels, and in fluorine-containing chemicals.
This specimen is from the Moscona Mine near Llanera, Asturias, Spain. It measures 200x200x85mm, and weighs about 3.8kg. The chrome steel stand pictured is included.