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Crystal system |
orthorhombic (crystallographic axes of unequal length that are 90 degrees from each other and have 2 fold axes and/or mirror images along 3 axes). |
Habit |
tabular, acicular or stacked, blade-like crystals; also as rosettes, massive aggregates, spheres, fan-shaped, granular, sheets, earthy and stalactitic. |
Cleavage |
perfect to imperfect. |
Fracture |
uneven. |
Hardness |
2.5 - 3.5 |
Specific Gravity |
4.48 |
Color |
colorless, white, gray, yellow, pink or orange/red. |
Luster |
transparent to subtranslucent with a vitreous, resinous or pearly luster. |
Streak |
white. |
Distinguishing features |
insoluble in acids; flame tests make the flame yellow/green and fuses with difficulty; high density. |
Uses |
the main barium ore; also used in the petroleum, rubber and paper industries; used to make an expensive white pigment..
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