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Minerals »
Barite
Barite - Mineral Properties and Uses |
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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 |
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Barite from Edith River, Northern Territory, Australia.
Specimen is approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) across.
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Barite from Mercur, Utah.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Barite from Kings Creek, South Carolina.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Barite from Madoc, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Barite from Madoc, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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More Information About Minerals!
Mineral photographs that appear on this page with a Geology.com copyright mark are property of Geology.com and may not be used beyond our website. If you like these photos and would like to share them with others please link to this page or email its URL. The photos were taken and composed by Ann Bryant.
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