Barite is BaSO4. These examples of the Barium - containing sulfate mineral are displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The sample is about 20 cm across and is from England.
"Barite is the major source of barium, which is used to manufacture paint pigments, color fireworks green, and make barium "milkshakes" that highlight patients' digestive tracts for X-ray imaging."
The sample at left above is described as barite with berthierite and calcite and is from Herja, Crisana-Maramures, Romania. It is about 13x13 cm. The sample on the right is barite from Cavnic, Crisana-Maramures, Romania. It is about 16x16 cm.
This sample is described as barite with dolomite. It is from Frizington, Cumbria, England and is about 14 cm wide. That location is the source of barite gems such as the one above, which is 60.68 carats.
This sample of barite is from Maine-Reclesnes mine, Autun, Soane-et-Loire, France. The sample size is about 8x8 cm.
This sample of barite is from Tsumeb, Namibia. The sample size is about 6x6 cm.
This barite is from Cave in Rock, Illinois. The sample size is about 26x26 cm.
This is barite with sand inclusions from Noble, Oklahoma. The sample is about 16cm wide.
The sample above is about 16 x 32 cm and is another of the wide variety of forms that barite can take. It is from Cavnic, Crisana-Maramures, Romania. Both of the barite samples at left are from Cumbria, England. The top sample at left is about 12 cm high, and the yellow variety shows the tip of a crystal which was about 5-7cm long.
This sample is barite with calcite and is about 8x8 cm. It is from Elk Creek, South Dakota.
Mindat: Barite
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