Barytocalcite is a rare carbonate mineral typically found in hydrothermal vein deposits. Collectors should look for its characteristic bright yellow fluorescence under short-wave UV light, which helps distinguish it from more common carbonate minerals like calcite.
Is this barytocalcite?
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 barytocalcite with a known reference. Barytocalcite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, gray, greenish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: druse, massive, prismatic.
Often confused with
Barytocalcite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside barytocalcite
Minerals reported to co-occur with barytocalcite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaCa(CO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.66-3.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to resinous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Druse, massive, prismatic
- Cleavage
- On {210}, perfect; on {001}, imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A relatively uncommon accessory mineral in metallic veins, formed by reaction of hydrothermal fluids with limestone; however it may be the dominant barium-bearing species; rarely in carbonatites and Alpine veins
Where rockhounds find barytocalcite
Classic worldwide localities
- Westvaco trona mine, about 30 km west of Green River, Sweetwater Co., Wyoming, USA
- Pigeon Roost mine, 5 km northeast of Glenwood, Montgomery Co., Arkansas, USA
- Juanita mine, Magdalena district, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA
- Bleagill mine, Alston, Cumbria, and at Holwell, Mendip Hills, Somerset, England
- Llantrisant, Wales
- Himmelsfürst mine, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A relatively uncommon accessory mineral in metallic veins, formed by reaction of hydrothermal fluids with limestone; however it may be the dominant barium-bearing species; rarely in carbonatites and Alpine veins. If you start seeing barite, calcite, strontianite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: druse, massive, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify barytocalcite?+
Where is barytocalcite found?+
Is barytocalcite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like barytocalcite?+
What minerals are found with barytocalcite?+
What kind of rock does barytocalcite form in?+
What is barytocalcite used for?+
Find barytocalcite on the map
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