Barite crystals.
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noun
a soft, heavy, orthorhombic mineral, barium sulfate, BaSO, that is the chief ore of barium, used in making paint, drilling mud, etc.
Origin: ; from Classical Greek barys, weighty (see grave) plush -ite
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also ba·ry·tes
noun A yellow, white, or colorless crystalline mineral of barium sulfate, BaSO4, that is used in paint and as the chief source of barium chemicals. Also called heavy spar.
Origin: Greek barus, heavy; see gwerə-1 in Indo-European roots + -ite1.
barite - Science Definition
A usually white, clear, or yellow orthorhombic mineral. Barite occurs as flattened blades or in a circular pattern of crystals that looks like a flower and, when colored red by iron stains, is called a desert rose. It is found in limestone, in clay-rich rocks, and in sandstones. Barite is used as a source of barium. Chemical formula: BaSO4.
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