Barite roses are fascinating rosette-like crystal aggregates of barite that grow within sandy or clay-rich sediments. Collectors prize them for their distinct, flower-like appearance formed by the interlacing of thin, tabular barite blades. They are frequently found in arid regions where the evaporation of barium-rich groundwater allows the minerals to crystallize alongside local sand grains.
Is this barite roses?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch barite roses with a known reference. Barite Roses sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barite Roses leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barite Roses typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, tan, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals forming radiating rosette-like aggregates.
Often found alongside barite roses
Minerals reported to co-occur with barite roses. 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
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals Forming Radiating Rosette-like Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Fluorescence
- Sometimes Fluorescent Under UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Sedimentary
- Typical price
- $5-50 depending on size and definition of the rose petals.
Where rockhounds find barite roses
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Oklahoma, USA
- Mexico
- Tunisia
- Morocco
- Egypt
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary country, the host setting where barite roses typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals forming radiating rosette-like aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Kansas. Start trip planning there.
More barite roses photos
Common questions
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Find barite roses on the map
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