The stone takes on properties. Baryte stone

Barite (from ancient Greek βαρύς - heavy) is a mineral from the class of sulfates: barium sulfate. Synonym: heavy spar. The first mention of the mineral was found in the works of the Italian scientist Fortuño Liceti, where it appeared as the “Bologna stone.” Chemical formula: BaSO 4.

Synognia rhombicus. Crystal shape: tabular, lamellar. Aggregates are granular, dense, leafy, druses, brushes. The color is white, sometimes red, bluish, or brown due to impurities. Sometimes colorless, transparent. The line is white. Glass shine. The cleavage is perfect. Hardness 3-3.5. Specific gravity 4.48 g/cm3. Chemically inert. Large transparent crystals have piezo-optical properties.

Features. Almost insoluble in water. The powder dissolves in concentrated sulfuric acid. High specific gravity.

Barite. Photo by Rob Lavinsky Barite intergrown with fluorite. Photo by Rob Lavinsky Red barite Barite with vanadinite inclusions. Photo by Rob Lavinsky

Origin

Hydrothermal origin. It accumulates in the iron hat zone, in placers.

Applications of barite

It is most widely used in drilling fluid weights when drilling wells. It is used in the production of paints, in the chemical and paper industries, and for the production of barium preparations. Chemically pure barium serves as a standard for white color in photometry. Barium salts are used in radiology and agriculture.

Place of Birth

Barite was found in Georgia (Kutaiskoye), Azerbaijan (Chovdarskoye), Armenia (Alaverdinskoye), Turkmenistan (Arpaklenskoye), in the Southern Urals (Medvedevskoye), and in the Komi Republic (Palnikskoye).

Synonyms: Baritine, Barytic earth

Anhydrite - barite group

The large specific gravity of this mineral is easily felt in the hand. Among the very few barium minerals, barite is the main one, and among anhydrous sulfates it is the most common after anhydrite.

origin of name

It is of Greek origin and means “baris” - heavy. It is easily distinguished from minerals similar in appearance (calcite, dolomite) due to its high density

]

Chemical composition

Barium oxide (BaO) 65.70%, sulfur oxide (SO3) 34.30%.

Strontium, lead and calcium can replace barium to some extent, and there is probably complete isomorphic miscibility between Ba and Sr; the intermediate members are called barytocelestine. Angleso-barite, or hokutolite, is a leaded barite containing approximately 18% PbO. Foreign impurities are sometimes identified as Fe 2 O 3 , clayey, organic and other substances.

Varieties

Barite cockscomb = a type of barite

Barytopisolith, redundant name = a type of barite

Barite Ba 2– in sea waters forms practically insoluble barium sulfate. Barite nodules are found among muds and in modern seas.

In weathering zones rocks and ore deposits in areas with a dry climate, upon careful study, small crystals of barite, often columnar in appearance, are often found in association with gypsum and iron hydroxides.

Barite is a chemically stable mineral, therefore it is found in eluvium, often in large fragments, as well as in concentrates obtained by washing placers. However, like all minerals that have good cleavage and low hardness, as they move into the placer they quickly become crushed and gradually disappear.

Barite deposits

Of the numerous barite deposits in Russia, we will mention only the hydrothermal deposits Belorechenskoye (Krasnodar Territory) and Dzhalankol (Karachaevo-Cherkessia).

In Western Georgia there are a number of vein barite deposits in Kutaisi, Bolnisi and other regions, among tuffs and effusive rocks (porphyrites). Solid barite masses with a symmetrically banded or colloform structure contain impurities in the form of calcite, a very small amount of quartz, and occasionally pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena.

On the Mangyshlak Peninsula (Western Kazakhstan), in the Aurtash deposit, which is large in terms of reserves, barite of sedimentary origin forms a layer in limestone up to 0.5 m thick, distributed over a huge area at a depth of up to 3 m.

The deposits of the Karakalinsky region in Turkmenistan (in the Kopetdag mountains) are also represented by a whole series of veins in sedimentary rocks (sandstones, shales, etc.). In a number of veins (Arpaklen) barite is in association with witherite - Ba[CO 3 ], which in some places develops pseudomorphically along the barite.

Among the largest foreign barite deposits is Meggen on the river. Lenne in Westphalia (Germany). Here, a plateau-like deposit of enormous length (up to 7 km), in places accompanied by a deposit of sulfides, mainly pyrite, is located on the border between the Middle and Upper Devonian sediments. The origin of this deposit is not exactly clear. In addition, Freiberg, Saxony, and Clausthal are known in Germany.

Together with limonite and pyrolusite in the Ore Mountains, Stolberg, Kyffhäuser (Harz), Schmalkalden, Ilmenau (Thuringian Forest).

England (Westmoreland, Cumberland.

USA - Cheshire in Connecticut, Missouri, Wisconsin, central Oklahoma. Beautiful barite crystals and roses are known at Stoneham in Colorado.

Canada (Hants County in Nova Scotia, Madoc in Ontario).

Practical use

Barite is widely used in various industries. It is used in pure form and in the form of barium preparations.

  1. In the form of a finely ground powder, it is added as a weighting agent to the composition of “clay solutions” used for cementation of loose rocks when drilling oil deposits in order to combat gas emissions and strengthen the walls of wells.
  2. In the chemical industry it is a raw material for the production of various salts and preparations used in pyrotechnics, tanning (to remove wool), sugar production, in the manufacture of photographic paper, in ceramics for the production of enamels, for the smelting of special glasses with a high refractive index, in medicine and etc.
  3. In the rubber and paper industries it is used as a filler and weighting agent (wallpaper, oilcloth, linoleum.
  4. In the paint and varnish industry it is used for the production of high-grade white (mixed with ZnO and ZnS) (lithopone), colored paints, etc.
  5. As the main component of plaster for the walls of X-ray laboratories, it is used to protect workers from the harmful effects of X-rays.
  6. Barium metal is used to make some radio tubes.

Barium salts are used in medicine and agriculture (insecticides).

Physical research methods

Differential thermal analysis

The main lines on the radiograph: 3.456(6) - 3.058(7) - 2.106(10) - 1.526(6) - 1.259(6) - 1.093(6).

hundredrin methods. Under the blowpipe it cracks and fuses only in thin fragments along the edges, and the flame turns yellow-green (characteristic of barium). It is fused with soda on a platinum plate into a transparent mass, which upon cooling becomes cloudy (when fused on charcoal, this mass spreads and is absorbed inside). Unlike celestine, barium sulphide, obtained in a reducing flame of a p.p.t., after wetting with HCl, colors the flame not carmine red, but yellow-green.

Crystal optical properties in thin preparations (sections)

np = 1.636, nm = 1.637, ng = 1.648; Np = c, Nm = b, Ng = a; (+)2V = 37°, weak dispersion r > v.

Barite- natural anhydrous barium sulfate.

Main diagnostic signs

Barite is heavy, has a glassy luster, and is easily scratched with a knife. It is characterized by perfect parallelepiped cleavage and absence of boiling upon contact with acids.

Special properties

Barite colors the flame of a blowpipe the yellow-green color characteristic of barium. In powdered form, barite slowly dissolves in concentrated sulfuric acid; when water is added, the solution becomes cloudy due to the precipitation of barium sulfate.
Barite crystals are mostly lamellar and tabular, less often prismatic and needle-shaped. Barite aggregates are granular, radial, and fine-fiber; There are kidney-shaped-spherulite, kidney-shaped-lamellar and dense solid masses.

Barite is mainly of hydrothermal origin, sometimes forming independent ore veins several meters thick. Barite often fills almond-shaped voids in a number of mafic volcanics. Barite is of sedimentary-chemogenic origin. In sedimentary rocks, barite forms radial nodules and secretions with crystals in the internal cavity (geodes).

Place of Birth

In Russia, three deposits of barite-containing ores are being developed: Kvartsitovaya Sopka (Kemerovo region), Molodeznoye (Chelyabinsk region) and Tolcheinskoye (Khakassia). Spectacular samples of barite from the Belorechensky deposit (Northern Caucasus), which, based on the results of repeatedly renewed exploration, were recognized as unprofitable for industrial production, are widely known among collectors.

Together with limonite and pyrolusite, it is known in the Ore Mountains, Stolberg, Knfhäuser (Harz), Schmalkalden, Ilmenau (Thuringian Forest), Meggen on the river. Lenne, where it is confined to thick deposits of pyrite, and in other areas of Germany.

Application

Barite is the main source of raw materials for the production of barium. Used for the production of barium salts, barium white, enamel, glaze. It is used as a filler in the manufacture of paper, oilcloth, linoleum, and rubber. Barite is used as a substance that increases the specific gravity of drilling fluids. Transparent barite crystals are used in optical instruments. Barite is also used for X-ray protection; for coatings and insulation in chemical industries. In medicine, barite is used as a diagnostic tool for X-ray examination of the digestive tract.

Properties of the mineral

  • Origin of name: from Greek βάρυζ - heavy
  • Opening year: known since ancient times
  • Thermal properties: It cracks and melts only at the edges of thin fragments, turning the flame yellow-green (characteristic of barium). Above 1400°C it decomposes to a mixture of barium oxide, sulfur dioxide and oxygen.
  • Luminescence: Shades of yellow, sometimes orange or pink (LW UV). Shades of yellow, white (Franklin & Sterling Hill, NJ). May phosphoresce strongly greenish-white. Thermoluminescence is sometimes observed
  • IMA status: valid, first described before 1959 (before IMA)
  • Typical impurities: Sr,Ca,Pb
  • Strunz (8th edition): 6/A.09-20
  • Hey's CIM Ref.: 25.4.17
  • Dana (7th edition): 28.3.1.1
  • Dana (8th edition): 28.3.1.1
  • Cell parameters: a = 8.884(2) Å, b = 5.457(3) Å, c = 7.157(2) Å
  • Attitude: a:b:c = 1.628:1:1.312
  • Number of formula units (Z): 4
  • Unit cell volume: V 346.97 ų
  • Point group: mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
  • Space group: Pnma (P21/n 21/m 21/a)
  • Separateness: in several directions
  • Density (calculated): 4.47
  • Density (measured): 4.5
  • Pleochroism: visible
  • Internal reflexes: colorless
  • Dispersion of optical axes: weak r > v
  • Refractive indices: nα = 1.634 - 1.637 nβ = 1.636 - 1.638 nγ = 1.646 - 1.648
  • Maximum birefringence:δ = 0.012
  • Type: biaxial (+)
  • angle 2V: measured: 36° to 40°, calculated: 36° to 42°
  • Optical relief: moderate
  • Selection form: tabular, lamellar, less often prismatic and needle-shaped crystals, granular, radial, fine-fiber aggregates, solid masses
  • USSR taxonomy classes: Sulfates
  • IMA classes: Sulfates
  • Chemical formula: BaSO4
  • Syngony: rhombic
  • Color: colorless, white, yellow, brown, gray, blue, etc.; colorless in internal reflexes and to the naked eye
  • Trait Color: white
  • Shine: glass mother of pearl
  • Transparency: transparent translucent translucent opaque
  • Cleavage: perfect by (001) average by (210)
  • Kink: uneven
  • Hardness: 3 3,5
  • Fragility: Yes
  • Literature: Lyubchenko V.A., Pats V.M. Belorechenskoe barite deposit in the North Caucasus. // Exploration and protection of subsoil, 1967, No. 12, p. 24-26. Nastasienko E.V. Stratiform barite deposits of the Urals. - “Barit”, M., 1986, p. 153-157. abstract of the article - RJ "Geology" 12I54-1986 Presman V. Barite of the South Olenyev Island and its significance for the Leningrad industry // Raw materials and fuels. resources Leningr. region L., 1932. S. 4-6. Solodovnikova L.L. Barites of Tyuya-Muyun. - Tr. on the study of radium, vol. 3, 1928, 93-104. Frank-Kamenetsky V. A. Mineralogy and crystallography of barite from veins in the upper reaches of the river. Kuban. Zap. WMO, 1951, part 80, issue. 1, p. 32-47. Frank-Kamenetsky V. A. Oriented ingrowths of chalcopyrite and cuprite crystals in barite from the Indysh vein. Uch. zap. Leningrad State University, 1940, No. 45, p. 92-117. Shirobokova T.I. Stratiform polymetallic and barite mineralization of the Urals. ─ Sverdlovsk: Ural Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1992. ─ 139 p. ─ Rus. RJ "Geology" 6Zh5K-1992 Yushkin N.P., Kunz A.F., Taranina T.I. Barites of the Ural-Paikhoi province. Ekaterinburg: Publishing house. Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2002. 337 p.

Photo of the mineral

Articles on the topic

  • Baryte - natural barium sulfate
    The main technological properties that determine a wide range of industrial uses of barite are high density, chemical inertness, low hardness (low abrasiveness), the ability to absorb x-rays, high barium content, and whiteness.
  • Barite
    Promising for identifying stratiform deposits of barite are Jurassic deposits in the Bikinsky and Samarka (Central) zones - olistostrome strata, the siltstone matrix of which contains a significant amount of olistoplak siliceous rocks.
  • World reserves of barite
    Barite reserves are contained in deposits of vein, stratiform and residual types. About 55% of the proven reserves of developed capitalist and developing countries are concentrated in vein deposits
  • Applications of barite
    Oil and gas industry and geological exploration - a weighting agent for drilling fluids for deep and ultra-deep drilling.
  • Barite mining and production
    The world's leading producers of barite are China, the USA, India and Kazakhstan. Most noticeably in 1997-1998. The role of China has grown, its share in world production exceeding 50%.

Deposits of the mineral Barite

  • Belorechenskoye field
  • Vodinskoye field
  • Karachaevsky mine
  • Uchkuduk, city
  • Russia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Magadan Region
  • Republic of Adygea
  • Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia
  • Uzbekistan
  • Samara Region
  • Myanmar
  • Spain
  • Morocco
  • Kerch, city
  • Republic of Crimea
  • Elbrus mine, North Caucasus
  • Lorca, Murcia
  • Nador
  • Lahcen Mine
  • La Libertad Dep.
  • Quiruvilca Mine
  • Murcia
  • Portman

The natural mineral formed from barium sulfate is called barite. Usually its crystals are colorless and transparent; less commonly, specimens are mined in pink, yellow, blue and white shades with a pearlescent sheen. This mineral is distinguished by its high density, granular structure and perfect cleavage. Acids do not destroy it. Barite deposits are often associated with other minerals, including pyrite, galena and cinnabar.

Barite is distributed very widely around the globe; some of the largest known deposits are located in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Algeria, Peru, Ireland, and India. In addition, large deposits of barite were discovered in Russia (Belorechenskoye deposit in the Krasnodar Territory, the Urals, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea, the vicinity of Krasnoyarsk and eastern Transbaikalia). The Altai regions are also distinguished by barite mines.

Smaller deposits are located in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, and the Crimean Peninsula. Metamorphic deposits in European countries such as Romania, Italy, Great Britain, Spain and Germany also contain barite.

All barite deposits can be divided into those that are used for industrial mining of the mineral, and those where specimens of collection value are mined.

This stone has a hydrothermal origin, sometimes separate wide ore veins are formed from it, or the mineral becomes part of almond-shaped voids in volcanics. Sedimentary rocks contain radial and other shaped intergrowths. Associated minerals include fluorites, calcites, quartz, hematites, chalcopyrites, stibnites, galenas, sphalerites, marcasites; impurities include compounds of strontium, lead and calcium.

The name of the stone is of Greek origin, the word “barus” is translated as “heavy”, which is associated with the high specific gravity of the crystals.

Barites were first used in ancient times. Then warriors used the mineral as ammunition for crossbows and balestres. Until the beginning of the 19th century, barite was known as the “Bolognese stone”, as it was mainly mined near Mount Paterca, near Bologna. Barite was studied and described by the German mineralogist D. Karsten.

Baryte consists of barium sulfate. The shape of the mineral crystals is lamellar, prismatic, needle-shaped. There are needle-shaped radial-radiant intergrowths and spherulites with a fine-fibrous structure. In addition, barite can form aggregates of lamellar, scaly and granular structure.

Its crystals have a rhombic system; they are white and colorless, sometimes grayish, yellowish, light brown, brown or reddish in color with a pearlescent or glassy sheen. They can be transparent, translucent or opaque. Barite is characterized by perfect cleavage, uneven fracture, and fragility. Hardness on the Mohs scale is 3-3.5. Density from 4.3 to 4.7 g/cm3. Refractive index 1.63.

The flame of barite is colored yellow-green, characteristic of barium ions. The mineral, crushed to a powdery state, gradually dissolves in concentrated sulfate acid, but if water is added, the solution becomes cloudy from the precipitate of barium sulfate.

There are thermoluminescent specimens. In ultraviolet light, they exhibit the ability to fluoresce and phosphoresce.

There are no specific types for barites. However, the mineral is very diverse in the shape of its crystals.

Thus, pure barium sulfate without impurities usually exists in the form of colorless, tabular-shaped crystals. Less common are prismatic, columnar and irregular varieties.

Common are spherical accretions, deposits, crusts and other formations of a layered structure. In addition, barites tend to form fine-grained structures that fill cracks in the ore mass.

The decorative variety of the stone is called “barite rose”, thanks to the crystals of a bizarre split shape with multiple growths on the druses of the rock needles. Twigs soaked in minerals and later petrified also look very beautiful.

The magical properties and abilities of barite are the subject of long-term debate. At the same time, absolutely opposite points of view collide: some esotericists claim that the stone does not possess any such properties, while others say that its capabilities simply must first be revealed.

However, even Indian priests used barite joints to establish contacts with dead ancestors.

Today it is believed that barite has a positive effect on the psychological health of the owner. Thanks to its influence, rationality in actions, measured thinking and the ability to confidently make important decisions develop. The mineral shows the owner the right actions, serves as an assistant in any endeavor, promotes the development of intuition and instills patience.

Talismans and amulets made from barite inspire creative people to new achievements and serve as an assistant for the development and implementation of new ideas. It is believed that the most effective are talismans in which there is constant contact with the owner’s skin.

Barite is used both in lithotherapy and in folk and modern traditional medicine. In the latter case, it acts as an X-ray absorber, harmless, since it is not absorbed from the human gastrointestinal tract. For gastrointestinal diseases, for radiographic examination, patients swallow a special barium composition, which inside reflects the foci of the disease.

In addition, the healing abilities of barite help in normalizing psycho-emotional states. The mineral has calming properties, helps get rid of fears and worries, and sets its owner to positive and rational thinking, so that reality is perceived realistically and constructively. Constant contact with barite gives strength if necessary to overcome psychological trauma. Skin diseases are treated with barite applications.

Transparent barite crystals are used to make optical instruments. They are also used for protection against x-ray radiation, in the production of coatings and insulation in chemical plants.

Barites are valuable raw materials in the production of barium salts, white, enamels, glazes, they serve as fillers in the production of rubber, oilcloth, linoleum, and paper.

The oil industry uses barite as a substance that can increase the specific gravity of drilling fluid.

In addition, individual samples of barite are valuable as collection materials and for creating jewelry.

The natural color of barite is white. Also, its crystals are often colorless and transparent. However, due to the presence of impurities, natural barites often acquire different shades and degrees of transparency. Thus, there are stones of yellow, greenish-brown, bluish-gray, dark red shades, as well as fluorescent and phosphorescent.

Barite is a soft and brittle stone that is resistant to most aggressive chemicals. Barite products protect against mechanical damage, scratches and cracks. Clean with soapy water and a soft cloth.

For representatives of the fire element, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, barites help fight cowardice, laziness, hot temper and aggressiveness. Contact with the mineral gives them peace. Air and water signs, which are naturally endowed with the qualities that barite emphasizes and develops, are less susceptible to the influence of the stone. Barite is neutral to Virgo and Taurus. But his real favorite is Capricorn; he becomes an excellent assistant to this sign in all matters.

The cost of a kilogram of industrial barite starts at $2. Products made from it are priced depending on the complexity of the work and the materials used.

  • Intergrowths of barite crystals often grow in cavities left by the biological destruction of organic tissues. Very beautiful collectible specimens of the mineral are often found in empty mollusk shells.
  • For most living beings, barium salts are deadly, but a person can take barite orally without any danger to life.