RocksdayBarite vs Heulandite
How to tell them apart
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 zeolite forming flat, coffin-shaped crystals with a pearly shine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick tests
- Heft: Barite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 4.3–4.5 vs 2.1–2.2).
Key differences
- Barite is much heavier.
Side by side
| Property | Barite | Heulandite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 3–3.5 | 3.5–4 |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | White, Clear, Blue, Yellow, Brown | White, Orange, Pink, Green |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | Monoclinic |
| Specific gravity | 4.3–4.5 | 2.1–2.2 |
| Formula | BaSO₄ | (Ca,Na)₂₋₃Al₃(Al,Si)₂Si₁₃O₃₆·12H₂O |
| Found in | Norman, Oklahoma; Morocco | Pune, India; Iceland |
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 heulandite
- Tabular crystals shaped like coffins.
- Pearly luster on the large flat face.
- Soft and light.
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Full Heulandite guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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