barite

views updated May 08 2018

barite (baryte) A mineral, BaSO4, which may form a solid solution series with celestite (SrSO4); sp. gr. 4.3–4.6; hardness 3.0–3.5; orthorhombic; colourless to white, often tinged yellow, brown, blue, green, and red; white streak; vitreous lustre; crystals commonly tabular, prismatic, but can be fibrous, lamellar, and often granular; cleavage perfect {001}, present {210}, {010}. Occurs as a vein filling, as a gangue mineral with ores of lead, copper, zinc, silver, iron, and nickel, associated with calcite, quartz, fluorite, dolomite, and siderite, and as a low-temperature mineral which also occurs as a replacement for limestone, and as a cement in sandstone. Insoluble in acid. It is used as a weighting agent in drilling muds, in the chemical industry, in the manufacture of rubber, paper, and high-quality paints, and as an X-ray absorbent.

barite

views updated May 23 2018

barite Translucent, white or yellow mineral, barium sulphate (BaSO4), found in sedimentary rocks and in ore veins in limestone. Radiating clusters of crystals are called ‘barite roses’. It occurs as a gangue mineral with ores of lead, copper and zinc, and as a replacement for limestone. It is used as a weighting agent in oil-rig drilling, and in the chemical industry for paper-making, rubber manufacture, high-quality paints and X-rays. Hardness: 3–3.5; r.d. 4.5.

barite

views updated May 11 2018

bar·ite / ˈbe(ə)rīt; ˈbar-/ • n. a mineral consisting of barium sulfate, typically occurring as colorless prismatic crystals or thin white flakes.

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