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Barite

Barite

MNHN N°207.14

visu_470 infos
FROM : Mine of Les Malines, Gard, France
SIZE : 6 x 5 x 4.5 cm

general description

This specimen shows a variety of barite crystals of barytine on matrix, containing of small pyrite crystals. The crystals of barytine are tabular, colourless and transparent.

This specimen was acquired thanks to support from Total. It was found at the mine of Les Malines in the Gard, France. It is kept today in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire,
© MNHN.
The Species page
Identity card
SPECIE : Barite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "βαρυσ" [barys] meaning heavy. In reference to its high density

Species first described in 1800 by Dietrich Ludwig Gustav Karsten (1768-1810), German matematician

Type-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients
ANCIENT NAME : Baryte

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ba SO4
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Colorless, brown, blue, green, reddish yellow
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to opaque
LUSTER : Vitreous to resineous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Tabular crystals, prismatic. As roses, massive, lamellar, stalactitic
HARDNESS : 3,0-3,5
DENSITY : 4,47

CHEMICAL CLASS : VI - Sulfates, chromates,
GROUP : Barytine
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 6/A.09-20
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 7.AD.35
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