Baryte

Baryte-paragenesis from Miraflores, Peru

Hello,

a few weeks ago I have purchased a nice specimen of yellow Baryte xls on Fe-Dolomite matrix, which is covered with "Hematite" xls. The "Hematites" have an habit similar to Pyrargyrite (both minerals are trigonal), and show partially cherry-redinternal reflexes (not untypical for both minerals), the lustre is black or gray fatty-metallic under the microscope, not typical for Hematite. I think, this mineral ist correctly labeled as Hematite ("Pyrargyrite" is a hypothesis with a low probability). Can you confirm my assumption, that these xls ar Hematite? - In the mindat-Gallery, respectively the mindat database there is no Hematite to find with respect to this special location.

Thanks a lot,
Michael

Are the xls large enough to check hardness?

No, they are only tiny (1 mm). I have checked the hardness indirectly by attempting to determine the strike color (due to Fe-Impurities in the underlying dolomite mostly brown, not red), and the xls seemed to be more creamy than Hematite. But this finding is subjective. An explanation for this finding could also be weathering of the Hematite.

Question? When did the spelling of Baryte change to barite and back again? i am just a little confused due to the fact that every text book and research paper I can find (in English) has it listed as Barite. Just want clarification on subject so I can impress my other collector friends with the facts. So hard to to have a good and constructive discussion when you do not have your facts to back you up.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2012 03:17AM by George Hinkle.

I don't think it actually "changed" - it's more a difference between British and American english, like aluminium/aluminum and sulphur/sulfur. And our official name regulating body, the IMA, uses the British version for some species and the American for others.

Thank you, Alfredo ----As for Micheal's statement / question, you might Google the mineral Paragenesis you find that in almost all the descriptions that it was in Hematite rich layers. Not an answer but may be an area to research.

I only use barite when I am pissed of at the British.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.