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 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Barytocalcite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Barytocalcite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, gray, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, massive.
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
- 4
- Density
- 3.66 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001} and {110}
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Limestone
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens, $200+ for rare crystals
Where rockhounds find barytocalcite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alston, Cumbria, England
- Harz Mountains, Germany
- Rajasthan, India
- Langban, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in limestone country — that is the host setting where barytocalcite typically forms. If you start seeing barite, fluorite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find barytocalcite on the map
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