Baryte
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/14730981@N08">James Petts</a> from London, England (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mineral NameBaryte
Chemical FormulaBaSO₄
Mohs Hardness3.25
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
CleavagePerfect on {001}, good on {210} and {110}
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity4.5
Colorswhite, pink, orange, yellow, brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityWorldwide
Mineral GroupSulfates
Usesdrilling muds, medical applications, pigments, source of barium
Associated Mineralsgalena, sphalerite, fluorite, quartz, calcite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a close-up of a baryte specimen, showing a predominantly white to light pinkish-orange matrix with areas of yellowish and brownish discoloration. The texture appears crystalline and somewhat granular, with some surfaces exhibiting a subtle vitreous to pearly luster.
Geological Context
Baryte commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, often associated with lead-zinc deposits, and as concretions in sedimentary rocks. It can also occur in residual deposits formed by weathering of primary deposits.
