Baryte
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameBaryte
Chemical FormulaBaSO4
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect on {001}, good on {210}
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity4.5
Colorscolorless, pale yellow, brown
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityPříbram, Central Bohemia Region, Bohemia Czech Republic
Mineral GroupSulfates
Usesdrilling mud, pigments, filler, medical
Associated Mineralsgalena, sphalerite, fluorite, quartz, calcite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a cluster of translucent, elongated, tabular to prismatic baryte crystals, ranging from colorless to a pale yellowish-brown hue. They are embedded within a rough, brownish, earthy matrix.
Geological Context
Baryte commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, often in association with lead-zinc-silver ore deposits. It can also occur in sedimentary environments as concretions or bedded deposits, and as a gangue mineral in various metallic ore veins.
