Baryte var. Radiobaryte — Xiefang Mine, Ruijin Co., Jiangxi, China

The Xiefang Mine in Jiangxi Province has earned a reputation as one of the finest barite localities in the world, producing crystals that rival classic Western specimens from places like the Sherman Mine in Colorado. This piece showcases the tabular, bladed crystal habit the locality is celebrated for — sharp, well-terminated crystals with a rich luster and a semi-translucent quality that catches the light beautifully from multiple angles. The crystal architecture here is architectural in the truest sense, often forming radiating fan-like clusters or stacked sheaves that give the specimen real visual depth.

What elevates this particular piece beyond a typical Xiefang barite is its radiobaryte character. Radiobaryte is a naturally radioactive variety of baryte, where trace radioactive elements substitute into the crystal lattice, giving the specimen a measurable response on a Geiger counter or scintillator. This kind of natural radioactivity in an otherwise "ordinary" species is exactly the sort of geochemical curiosity that makes systematic mineral collecting so rewarding — the same barium sulfate structure found in countless other localities worldwide, but here carrying an extra layer of complexity.

This specimen is a great fit for collectors who want their display case to do double duty: aesthetically stunning under normal light, and scientifically interesting under a detector. As with all our radioactive specimens, please review our shipping and handling guidelines before purchase, as availability is restricted based on destination.

Specimen Details:

Approx. specimen size: 75mm x 60mm x 35mm

Approx. specimen weight: 263 grams

Approx. specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP: 6600 CPM

Radioactive Mineral Shipping Policy

All naturally radioactive mineral specimens are available for shipping within Canada only. Due to Transport Canada dangerous goods regulations and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission requirements, we cannot ship radioactive materials internationally. All specimens are packaged in accordance with excepted quantity guidelines and clearly labeled. Purchasers are responsible for ensuring they are legally permitted to possess radioactive mineral specimens under applicable provincial and federal regulations. If you have questions about a specific specimen's activity level or shipping eligibility, please contact us before purchasing.