Rose Rocks are found in a variety of shapes, sizes, forms, hues, and textures. Because they are found in veins and easily cause damage to each other, most barite roses are found in a damaged state. Major damage can be things like broken bladed barite "petals", areas of significant wear/weathering, fading due to the sun, and erosion from water exposure. Generally, larger specimens are much more likely to be found with damage. The only large A+ specimens I've personally found were in hard clay, protecting them from being damaged. It can take weeks of soaking and carefully scrubbing to clean them up, but they're always worth it. 

Rose Rocks are found in a variety of shapes, sizes, forms, hues, and textures. Because they are found in veins and easily cause damage to each other, most barite roses are found in a damaged state. Major damage can be things like broken bladed barite "petals", areas of significant wear/weathering, fading due to the sun, and erosion from water exposure. Generally, larger specimens are much more likely to be found with damage. The only large A+ specimens I've personally found were in hard clay, protecting them from being damaged. It can take weeks of soaking and carefully scrubbing to clean them up, but they're always worth it. Rose Rocks are found in a variety of shapes, sizes, forms, hues, and textures. Because they are found in veins and easily cause damage to each other, most barite roses are found in a damaged state. Major damage can be things like broken bladed barite "petals", areas of significant wear/weathering, fading due to the sun, and erosion from water exposure. Generally, larger specimens are much more likely to be found with damage. The only large A+ specimens I've personally found were in hard clay, protecting them from being damaged. It can take weeks of soaking and carefully scrubbing to clean them up, but they're always worth it. 

What to Look For: The most desirable barite roses have a classic rose-in-bloom shape, attractive symmetry, a rust red hue, and are beautiful from all angles. Some specimens have sharp "petals" while others have the softer, rounded features.. both are desirable and it's simply a matter of  personal preference. Texture can vary as well, from very gritty, to mostly smooth. This has a lot to do with the amount of sand-inclusions in the barite, and other factors like composition and weathering. As long as it's not from weathering, erosion, or other damage, texture doesn't affect the quality.  

Definitions of the Grades:

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EWr: e"A+" (collector and museum quality): Specimen is undamaged, has rich color, many layers of prominent "petals," is double-sided and attractive from all angles, and has a distinct rosette shape. "A" (hobbyist and collector quality): Specimen has unnoticeable damage, a distinct rosette shape on at least one side, good coloring, and semi-prominent features. "B" (hobbyist and crafting or garden quality): Specimen has minor damage, a distinct rosette shape on at least one side, good-to-fair color, and minor weathering (wear that causes the "petals" to be less prominent). "C" (crafting or garden quality): Specimen has damage, may or may not resemble a rose, color can be uneven or faded, weathered, and may show signs of water erosion. "D" (gardening and rock-bed quality): Specimen has major damage, may or may not resemble a rose, color may be uneven or faded, and may show signs of water erosion.

Cluster and Formation Grading

Cluster specimens (including double roses and triple roses) follow the same guidelines. High grade large clusters with multiple rosettes are a very rare find.  Barite rose specimens that are in a formation stage are graded in a similar way, except do not require a rosette shape to be present. The general guideline for their value is the more intricate and interesting the formation, the more desirable it is. Also, because it's not yet understood exactly how the Oklahoma barite rose is formed with its unique features, these pieces are especially valuable.

Thank you for your interest in learning about Oklahoma's Rose Rocks! If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact me at withlove@reddirtroses.com