Where to Find Barite in Missouri

Missouri was once the largest barite producer in the United States, and Washington County ("Old Mines") is the historic core of that industry. Surface and shallow workings around Potosi and Old Mines yielded tabular blue, white, and yellow barite blades up to 15 centimeters across, often grown on bedded dolomite with quartz druse coatings. The Viburnum Trend mines further south add smaller honey-colored barite with the calcite-galena-sphalerite assemblage. Many old Washington County diggings are abandoned and reverted to private timberland; specimens still turn up in road and creek cuts. Field barite is heavy, brittle, and cleaves into three good planes. The most productive ground is in Old Mines and Potosi area (Washington County), Viburnum Trend dumps (Reynolds County), Brushy Creek mine (Iron County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like barite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Missouri, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.

Old Mines and Potosi area (Washington County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Viburnum Trend dumps (Reynolds County), Brushy Creek mine (Iron County).