Witherite

Formula: BaCO3

Origin of name: for W. Withering, English physician

 

Crystal system: orthorhombic

Crystal class: 2/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning: universal on {110}, repeated resulting in pseudohexagonal dipyramids

Unit cell: a = 5.314 Å, b  = 8.904 Å, c = 6.430 Å

 

Colour: colourless, white, gray, may have pale yellow, greenish or brown tint

Diaphaneity: 

Luster: 

Habit: crystals pseudohexagonal dipyramids formed by twinning, or tabular or short prismatic, with convex base, massive

Hardness3 to 3.5

Specific gravity: 4.29

Cleavage: 2; {010} distinct, {110} imperfect

Tenacity: uneven

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments: series with strontianite, fluoresces an phosphoresces bluish white under SW ultraviolet light

 

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