Gray barite is frequently identified by its distinctively high density and tabular, sometimes 'crested' or 'cockscomb' crystal habits. It is commonly found in sedimentary environments and hydrothermal veins, often forming as attractive clusters alongside fluorite or calcite.
Is this gray barite?
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 gray barite with a known reference. Gray Barite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, white, colorless, blue, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, bladed, crested, or massive.
Often confused with
Gray Barite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Gray Barite and pearly on {010}, vitreous to greasy on {001}; vitreous on {100} on Anhydrite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Gray Barite and adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite.
Often found alongside gray barite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gray 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
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, bladed, crested, or massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect in three directions
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Industrial
- Host rock
- sedimentary strata, hydrothermal veins, limestone cavities
Where rockhounds find gray barite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Stoneham, Colorado
- Mibladen, Morocco
- Elmwood Mine, Tennessee
- Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sedimentary strata, hydrothermal veins, limestone cavities. If you start seeing fluorite, calcite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, bladed, crested, or massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in South Dakota. Start trip planning there.
More gray barite photos
Common questions
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Find gray barite on the map
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