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16.22: Barite

Last updated

May 6, 2022
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- 16.21: Azurite
- 16.23: Benitoite

gemology
Gemology Project

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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

File:Barite.jpg

Figure $\PageIndex{1}$ : Faceted Barite 19.35cts.
Courtesy of Egor Gavrilenko

Barite,(BaSO₄) is a mineral consisting of barium sulfate. It is generally white or colorless, and is the main source of barium.
It is never used in jewelry because of it's extremely low hardness and distinct cleavage, which makes it very difficult to fashion as a gem.
Barite (spelled baryte in British publications) was named from the Greek word baros which means weighty, a reference to its unusually high specific gravity.
It can occasionally be found in esoteric gem collections as a rare curiosity.

File:Barite xls1.jpg

Figure $\PageIndex{2}$ : Barite Crystals with Calcite, Locality: Northumberland, Nye County, NV
Collection of Barbra Voltaire

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