BARITE
Barite (a.k.a. baryte) is a barium sulfate
mineral (BaSO4). It has a nonmetallic luster, a whitish to
clearish color, is moderately soft (H=3 to 3.5), has three cleavage planes not
at right angles, and is noticeably heavy for its size.
Barite
(3.4 cm long) from the Royal Flush Mine at Bingham, New Mexico, USA.
Barite roses (above & below; both are 2.8 cm across) from the upper Lower
Permian Garber Formation outcrop belt in Oklahoma, USA. Barite sometimes forms barite roses -
masses of intersecting tabular crystals somewhat resembling rose flowers. The
incorporated quartz sand and the reddish-brown coloration (hematite) of the
specimens shown here have been acquired from the original sandstone matrix.
