Barytocalcite - Encyclopedia
Class : Carbonates, Nitrates, Borates
Subclass : Anhydrous carbonates
Crystal System : Monoclinic
Chemistry : BaCa(CO3)2
Rarity : Rare
Barytocalcite is a rare carbonate of barium and calcium, known from a dozen deposits in the world. It appears by reaction of hydrothermal fluids rich in barium on carbonate rocks as well as in alkaline rocks, in particular carbonatites. It owes its name to its chemical composition. It is a colorless to white or grayish, sometimes yellowish to greenish mineral, which forms elongated, frequently striated crystals.
Main photo : Barytocalcite from Nentsberry Haggs Mine, Alston Moor, Eden, Cumbria, England, UK © Helen Wilkinson
Barytocalcite in the World
Twinning and special crystallizations
No known twin for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fake or treatment identified for this mineral species.
Hardness : 4
Density : 3.7
Fracture : Conchoidal to Irregular
Trace : White
TP : Opaque to translucent
RI : 1.525 to 1.686
Birefringence : 0.161
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Hydrochloric acid
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None