About Barite
Barium sulfate, known for its high specific gravity ('heavy spar') and varied crystal habits, including 'desert roses'. It's associated with enhancing inner vision, dream recall, loyalty, and releasing trapped emotions.
Primary Hues
Colorless, White, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, Red, Black, often forms tabular crystals
Geological & Scientific Details
Barite is classified as a sulfate mineral, barite group mineral which typically crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. Its chemical formula is BaSO4. Common crystal habits include tabular parallel to base, fibrous, nodular to massive.
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Sulfate mineral, barite group
- Chemical Formula: BaSO4
- IMA Symbol: Brt[1]
- Crystal System: Orthorhombic
- Predominant Geological Color: Colorless, white, light shades of blue, yellow, grey, brown
- Crystal Habit: Tabular parallel to base, fibrous, nodular to massive
- Cleavage: Perfect cleavage parallel to base and prism faces: {001} Perfect, {210} Perfect, {010} Imperfect
- Luster: Vitreous, pearly
- Streak: White
- Diaphaneity: transparent to opaque