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Barite - Mineral Properties and Uses

What is Barite?

Barite is a mineral consisting of barium sulfate. It most often occurs in hydrothermal veins and as veins in limestones. It is a relatively inert mineral with a high density. It is the primary ore of barium. The most common use of barite is as a weighting agent in drilling muds.

Uses

Most barite produced is used as a weighting agent in drilling muds. These high density muds are circulated down the drill stem and return to the surface between the drill stem and the wall of the well. This action effectively flushes the cuttings produced by the drill and carries them to the surface. Barite is also used as a pigment in paints and as a weighted filler for paper and cloth. It is the primary ore of barium. Barite's high density makes it opaque to xrays. If it is given to a patient as a drink or enema it can be used to image the shape of internal organs by x-ray.

Color

colorless, white, light blue, light yellow, light red, light green

Streak

white

Luster

vitreous

Diaphaneity

transparent to translucent

Cleavage

very good, basal, prismatic

Hardness

2.5 - 3.5

Specific Gravity

4.5

Distinguishing
Characteristics

high specific gravity, three cleavage directions at right angles, cleavage

Crystal System

orthorhombic

Chemical Classification

sulfate

Chemical Composition

barium sulfate , BaSO4

Barite Pictures

barite
Barite from Edith River, Northern Territory, Australia.
Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across.

barite
Barite from Mercur, Utah.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.

barite
Barite from Kings Creek, South Carolina.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.

barite
Barite from Madoc, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.

barite
Barite from Madoc, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.




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