Barite natural mineral, crystals 96g, Morocco

Composition: Barite is formed by barite, which is a compound of barium (Ba) and sulfur (S) ions. Its chemical formula BaSO4 means that for every atom of barium there is one atom of sulfur and four atoms of oxygen.

Appearance: Baryte can come in a variety of colors, including white, gray, brown, blue, yellow, or red. Its crystals are usually prismatic and can have a variety of shapes, including tabular or columnar.

Hardness: Barite has a hardness of 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it is a relatively soft mineral. This means that it scratches easily.

Transparency: Baryte can be transparent, translucent, or opaque depending on its purity and texture.

Luster: The surface of barite has a vitreous luster, meaning it is shiny and smooth.

Occurrence: Barite is often found in veins and vein cavities in rocks such as sedimentary rocks, especially dolomites and limestones. Morocco has several localities where barite occurs in various forms.