mineral

Barite Rose

Barium Sulfate (BaSO4)

Hardness of 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale, color typically white to yellowish-brown due to iron oxide inclusions, vitreous to pearly luster, tabular crystal habit often forming rosette aggregates, perfect cleavage in two directions, and a relatively high specific gravity (around 4.5).

Identified July 29, 2026More mineral →

Explore Barite Rose in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in sedimentary environments, typically as evaporites or through hydrothermal processes where barium-rich solutions interact with sulfate-bearing waters, often in sandstone or clay matrices.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a collector mineral specimen, in ornamental displays, and industrially as a source of barium and in drilling muds.

Geological facts

Barite roses form when crystal clusters grow in a radial pattern resembling the petals of a rose, commonly found in desert environments where they are sometimes referred to as 'desert roses' (though gypsum also forms desert roses).

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its rosette shape, high density (heavy feel for its size), and association with sandy or earthy matrix. Commonly found in locations such as Oklahoma, USA, and Morocco.