The barylite in this specimen is near the middle of this image as a swarm 2 cm across of thin rectangular plates on the order of 4 x 2 x 1 mm, but they are nearly the same color as their calcite matrix in visible light, and are difficult to locate without the use of iron-arc or shortwave ultraviolet sources. Inconspicuous, yes; insignificant, no. There is no hedyphane in this specimen, but there are small flakes of copper, another characteristic component of the barylite assemblage. The specimen is number RCB-100 from the collection of Richard Bostwick, who acquired it from the mineral dealer Jim Kaufman of Jim’s Gems, to whom it came from the Stevens family. The base of the specimen is sawn and labeled; see photo BYL2b.
Identifier: BYL2a Locality: Franklin mine, Franklin Specimen size: 8 x 4.5 x 4 cm Photo credit: Earl R. Verbeek
