Template:Barite
From The Gemology Project
Barite (Baryte) | |
---|---|
Chemical composition | BaSO4 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Habit | Tabular parallel to base, fibrous, nodular to massive |
Cleavage | Perfect cleavage parallel to base and prism faces: {001} Perfect, {210} Perfect, {010} Imperfect |
Fracture | Irregular/uneven |
Hardness | 3-3.5 |
Optic nature | biaxial + |
Refractive index | nα = 1.634–1.637 nβ = 1.636–1.638 nγ = 1.646–1.648 |
Birefringence | 0.012 |
Specific gravity | 4.3–5 |
Lustre | Vitreous to pearly |
Diagnostic Features | High specific gravity, characteristic cleavage and crystals |