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baryte  The mineral baryte through a polarized microscope. Baryte forms in hydrothermal veins and in the vicinity of hot springs. | Barium sulphate, BaSO4, the most common mineral of barium. It is white or light-coloured, and has a comparatively high density (specific gravity 4.6); the latter property makes it useful in the production of high-density drilling muds (muds used to cool and lubricate drilling equipment). Baryte occurs mainly in ore veins, where it is often found with calcite and with lead and zinc minerals. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and can form tabular crystals or radiating fibrous masses. |
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