Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126871366" class="extiw" title="d:Q126871366"><span title="photographer from the United States">Nessa Eull</span></a></bdi> (CC0)
orthorhombiccommonSulfates
Barite
BaSO4
This specimen displays a mass of white to light gray, bladed or tabular barite crystals, forming an aggregate approximately 15 cm across.
Barite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3Crystal System
orthorhombicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
Perfect on {001}, good on {210} and {110}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
4.5Colors
white, gray, yellow, blue, brown, red, colorlessTransparency
transparentType Locality
Missouri, USAMineral Group
SulfatesUses
drilling mud, pigments, filler, medical imaging, radiation shieldingAssociated Minerals
galena, sphalerite, fluorite, calcite, quartz, chalcopyriteRarity
commonGeological Context
Barite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary beds, and as concretions in sandstones and limestones, often precipitating from aqueous solutions due to its solubility.
