Information about Baryte / Barite

Appearance

Describing baryte is complex, as it occurs in a range of fascinating forms – depositional, evaporite, and more.

Its crystal habits can be striking, typically tabular or prismatic crystals, which tend to occur in parallel or radiating clusters. It can also occur in rose-like clusters known as baryte roses, another form of ‘desert rose’.

Uses and History

The main source of the element barium, baryte is an important ore with around 9.5 million metric tons being mined in 2019.

It is primarily used for adding weight to drilling fluids, lubricants used to drill deep holes for oil and gas exploration.

Baryte gains its name from the greek word ‘barús’, which means ‘heavy’. This is a reference to the minerals high specific gravity – rather uncommon for a non metallic mineral.

The International Mineral Association originally recommended the ‘barite’ spelling, but later changed this to the much older term ‘baryte’; this was largely ignored by American mineralogists, so any American specimens will likely be labelled barite.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Barium is a toxic alkaline earth metal but is not considered a threat to human, animal or plant life, as it does not dissolve in water.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.
Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis. When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baryte
• https://www.mindat.org/min-549.html
• https://geology.com/minerals/barite.shtml