Barite is widely recognized by its high density and distinctively perfect cleavage. It frequently forms striking, tabular crystals or rose-like clusters, and is a staple for collectors due to its diverse color range and global availability.

Hardness

3-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralcommon

Barite

Also: Barytes, Heavy Spar, Tiff

Hardness: 3-3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this barite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch barite with a known reference. Barite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Barite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, blue, brown, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, bladed, crested, or massive.

Often confused with

Barite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Barite and adamantine on Anglesite.

How to tell apart: Barite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2).

Compare →

Often found alongside barite

Minerals reported to co-occur with barite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: BaSO₄
Mohs hardness: 3-3.5
Density: 4.5 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow Blue Brown Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Bladed, Crested, Or Massive
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Fluorescence: Often Fluorescent White or Yellow Under UV
Rarity: Common
Uses: Industrial, Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins, Sedimentary Limestone, And Evaporite Deposits
Typical price: $5-50 thumbnail, $50-500 cabinet specimen

Where rockhounds find barite

103 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Elmwood, Tennessee, USA
Cumberland, England
Baia Sprie, Romania
Mibladen, Morocco

U.S. states with barite

Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce barite.

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary limestone, and evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where barite typically forms. If you start seeing fluorite, calcite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, bladed, crested, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah, Missouri, Oklahoma — start trip planning there.

Browse 103 U.S. spots for barite →

Common questions

How do you identify barite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow, blue.

Where is barite found?+

Notable localities include Elmwood, Tennessee, USA; Cumberland, England; Baia Sprie, Romania; Mibladen, Morocco.

Can I find barite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 103 barite rockhounding spots across 12 U.S. states — the top states are Utah, Missouri, Oklahoma.

How much is barite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 thumbnail, $50-500 cabinet specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like barite?+

Barite is most often confused with Celestite, Anglesite, Gypsum. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with barite?+

Barite commonly co-occurs with Fluorite, Calcite, Galena, Sphalerite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does barite form in?+

Barite typically forms in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary limestone, and evaporite deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is barite used for?+

Barite is used in industrial, collector.

Find barite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.