Barite Blue Rough 21x5mm 7.55crts

GEM TYPE : Genuine Barite
WEIGHT: 7.55 Carats
MEASURES:21x5MM (aprx.)
CUT: Natural Gem Rough/Specimen
CLARITY: Natural translucent
ESTIMATED RETAIL VALUE: $50


Featured is a genuine Barite. It is in its natural form as a gem rough/specimen, and is found in Colorado. Barite is a mineral consisting of barium sulfate. It most often occurs in hydrothermal veins and as veins in limestones. Most barite produced is used as a weighting agent in drilling muds. These high density muds are circulated down the drill stem and return to the surface between the drill stem and the wall of the well. This action effectively flushes the cuttings produced by the drill and carries them to the surface. Barite is also used as a pigment in paints and as a weighted filler for paper and cloth. It is the primary ore of barium. Barite's high density makes it opaque to x-rays. If it is given to a patient as a drink it can be used to image the shape of internal organs by x-ray. Barite appears as opaque to translucent light to semi-dark blue. This particular gemstone has a light to medium blue-green color. Pictured is the actual gemstone being offered, and has a rare double crystal structure.