Chemical Formula: BaSO4

Chemical Name: Barium Sulphate

Mineral Class: Sulphate

Mineral Notes: Barite is easily identified by its heavy weight. Most similar minerals are much lighter. It tends to form well defined flattened crystals. Occasionally it forms large rounded mounds from precipitation of hot, barium-rich springs. Named from the Greek for "weight" due to its unusual heaviness for a non-metallic mineral.

Description: A thin matrix covered by rounded clusters of fused Barite crystals. Each cluster is made up of upright parallel blades whose unusual stacking forms these semi-rounded formations. The mineral colour is pale-brown and the Barite has a very attractive pearly luster.