This piece would require a very long story. In short: around 1977 I saw a very nice blue Baryte in the small Merchich collection, a pharmacist from Azrou, and I always remembered that piece. Seventeen years later at the 1994 Millau Show, Mr. Friteau had this other Baryte and I bought it immediately, and then, in 2012, Boom! came the explosion of these Jebel Ouichane barytes that are among the most beautiful in the world.
It makes me very happy to leave this story in writing, since in a way the story of these Barytes is part of my life. I was finally able to choose the pieces of my dreams among so many that came out... 35 years since Merchich's dream Baryte.
Jebel Ouichane mines, Beni Bou Ifrour, Nador, Nador Province, Oriental Region Morocco (±1994)
Specimen size: 5.4 × 4.6 × 4.1 cm = 2.13” × 1.81” × 1.61”
Main crystal size: 4 × 1.4 cm = 1.57” × 0.55”
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