RocksdayBarite vs Wulfenite
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 lead molybdate forming thin, square, bright orange plates.
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick tests
- Heft: Wulfenite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 6.5–7 vs 4.3–4.5).
Key differences
- Barite plates are lighter and paler.
Side by side
| Property | Barite | Wulfenite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 3–3.5 | 3 |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly | Adamantine to resinous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | White, Clear, Blue, Yellow, Brown | Orange, Yellow, Red, Brown |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | Tetragonal |
| Specific gravity | 4.3–4.5 | 6.5–7 |
| Formula | BaSO₄ | PbMoO₄ |
| Found in | Norman, Oklahoma; Morocco | Red Cloud mine, Arizona; Los Lamentos, 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 wulfenite
- Thin square tablets, often vivid orange.
- Heavy and brittle.
- Brilliant luster.
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Full Wulfenite guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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