Barite, Bibb Co., AL, near Six-Mile Creek
Contributed by: FMS Admin
Date: Mar 1st, 2026
Locality: Bibb County, Alabama, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 6 x 5 x 7 cm
Weight: 238 g
Description:
This specimen was collected near an abandoned barite mine that is located on the banks of Six-Mile Creek in an area that locals refer to as \"The Sinks\". Interestingly, the abundant barite that is still to be found at the mine site exhibits little or no fluorescence. But I found the occasional barite specimen eroding out of the drainage ditches along the lengthy trail leading into the mine area. Those specimens turned out to be by far the brightest-fluorescing barites that I have ever seen from anywhere. One of them is depicted here under SW UV and under ordinary room light, but it fluoresces equally well under LW UV as well. These barites show up nicely in any fluorescent display.
Originally published by Bill Fowler on Nature’s Rainbows.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Baryte (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Blue
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue