RocksdayBarite vs Desert Rose
To tell Barite from Desert Rose: A desert rose is barite or gypsum in a sand-filled rosette. Barite roses feel heavy; gypsum roses scratch with a fingernail.
Barium sulfate — a pale mineral that is surprisingly heavy. Sand-filled rosettes from Oklahoma are known as rose rocks.
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0
A sand-filled rosette of gypsum or of barite. The petals are flat crystals that grew in loose sand.
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
Key differences
- A desert rose is barite or gypsum in a sand-filled rosette. Barite roses feel heavy; gypsum roses scratch with a fingernail.
- Tabular barite crystals lack the sandy rose shape; Oklahoma rose rocks are barite grown this way.
Side by side
| Property | Barite | Desert Rose |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 3–3.5 | 2–3.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly | Earthy to vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | White, Clear, Blue, Yellow, Brown | Brown, White, Yellow, Orange |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | Rosette of gypsum or barite |
| Specific gravity | 4.3–4.5 | — |
| Formula | BaSO₄ | — |
| Found in | Norman, Oklahoma; Morocco | Sahara, Tunisia and Algeria; Chihuahua, Mexico |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify barite
- Unusually heavy for a light-colored mineral.
- Tabular, bladed crystals.
- Hardness about 3 — a knife scratches it.
- Doesn't fizz in acid.
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Full Barite guide →How to identify desert rose
- Rose or ball of sandy petals.
- Gypsum roses scratch with a fingernail and feel light.
- Barite roses need a knife to scratch and feel heavy.
- Neither fizzes in acid.
Crystal system: Rosette of gypsum or barite
Full Desert Rose guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between barite and desert rose?
Barite is a mineral (BaSO₄) with a Mohs hardness of 3–3.5 and a vitreous to pearly luster, usually white, colorless, blue, yellow or brown. Desert Rose is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 2–3.5 and an earthy to vitreous luster, usually brown, white, yellow or orange.
How can you tell barite from desert rose?
A desert rose is barite or gypsum in a sand-filled rosette. Barite roses feel heavy; gypsum roses scratch with a fingernail. Tabular barite crystals lack the sandy rose shape; Oklahoma rose rocks are barite grown this way.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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