Barite

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Barite (Baryte)
Chemical composition BaSO4
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Habit Tabular parallel to base, fibrous, nodular to massive
Cleavage Perfect cleavage parallel to base and prism faces: {001} Perfect, {210} Perfect, {010} Imperfect
Fracture Irregular/uneven
Hardness 3-3.5
Optic nature biaxial +
Refractive index nα = 1.634–1.637
nβ = 1.636–1.638
nγ = 1.646–1.648
Birefringence 0.012
Specific gravity 4.3–5
Lustre Vitreous to pearly
Diagnostic Features High specific gravity, characteristic cleavage and crystals
Faceted Barite 19.35cts.
Courtesy of Egor Gavrilenko


Barite, or Baryte (BaSO4) is a mineral consisting of barium sulfate. It is generally white or colorless, and is the main source of barium.
It is rarely used in jewelry because of it's relative softness but can be seen in esoteric gem collections as a rare curiosity.

Barite Crystals with Calcite, Locality: Northunberland, Nye County, NV
Collection of Barbra Voltaire