Barite with Chalcopyrite from Dreislar Mine, Germany

This attractive cabinet specimen comes from the classic Dreislar Mine near Medebach in the Hochsauerland district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. White to slightly reddish barite forms a dense crystal coating with numerous small, metallic chalcopyrite crystals.

The golden chalcopyrite creates a distinct contrast with the pale barite and gives the specimen a varied mineralogical and aesthetic appearance.

Classic Barite Locality in the Sauerland Region

Dreislar Mine is one of Germany’s well-known barite localities. The hydrothermal vein deposit is particularly known for white to pink barite and various associated sulfide minerals.

Mining at Dreislar has a long history. Modern barite extraction began in 1957 and ended in 2008. Specimens from the mine are now characteristic examples of the historic barite mining district in the Sauerland region.

With dimensions of 8.0 × 6.5 × 4.0 cm and a weight of approximately 240 g, this is a compact cabinet specimen. Its particular appeal lies in the contrast between the pale barite and the metallic chalcopyrite crystals.