About
Controversy exists regarding the spelling of Barite. This mineral has always been spelled "Barite" in the United States. In the United Kingdom, the spelling has traditionally been "Baryte." The IMA originally referenced this mineral as "Barite," but then changed its spelling to "Baryte" many years later. This has been a very controversial move, with many questioning the IMA's logic behind this change. Most American mineral collectors and mineralogists still prefer the spelling Barite, and we reflect that spelling here in this guide as well.
Barite specimens from certain locations are brown from sand inclusions, and may occur in beautiful rosette aggregates that strikingly resemble a flower. These are known as Barite "Desert Roses." The mineral Gypsum also contains similar Desert Roses, but Gypsum roses are much light in weight, and are more brittle and thin.
Barite often replaces other minerals, and may even replace organic materials such as wood, shells, and fossils. It sometimes forms tufacious mounds from deposition of hot, barium-rich springs. It is isomorphous and very similar in form with the mineral Celestine, and may partially replace it.
The name Barite is derived from the Greek word barys, which means heavy, alluding to the heft of this mineral.
Crystal Forms & Aggregates
Other ID Marks
Striking Features
Environment
Varieties
✓ common · ✗ uncommon
- Desert Rose— Rosette shaped Barite or rosette shaped Gypsum with sand inclusions.
- Bologna Stone— Nodular, radiating, or massive Barite from Bologna, Italy, that is phosphorescent.
Uses
Barite is also a very popular and common mineral among collectors.
Noteworthy Localities
In the U.S., deep honey-colored tall Barite crystals come from Elk Creek, Meade County, South Dakota. It is found with Fluorite in Cave In Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois; and large white ball-shaped aggregates come from the Elmwood Mine, Smith Co., Tennessee. Bright yellow Barite clusters come from the Meikle Mine, Elko Co., Nevada. Colorado has some of the finest localities for Barite, including Stoneham, Weld Co. (prismatic blue); the Sherman Mine; Leadville District, Lake Co. (tabular yellow); Muddy Creek, Rio Grande Co. (tabular blue-gray); and the Book Cliffs, Grand Junction, Mesa Co. (colorless and water clear.)
Other well-known U.S. Barite localities are Palos Verdes Hills, Los Angeles Co., California; the Magma Mine, Pinal Co., Arizona; and the Linwood Quarry, Buffalo, Scott Co., Iowa. Perfect Barite "Desert Roses" have come from the area of Norman, Cleveland Co., Oklahoma. In Canada, a famous mine is the Rock Candy mine, near Grand Forks, British Columbia, which produced bright yellow tabular crystals.
Common Mineral Associations
Distinguishing Similar Minerals
Calcite - Has perfect rhombohedral cleavage, lighter in weight , and effervesces in hydrochloric acid.
Fluorite - Forms isometric crystals, lighter in weight.
Feldspars - Much harder, lighter in weight.
Anglesite - Has an adamantine luster.
Photos
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