Baryte, also known as barite or barytes, is a mineral composed of barium sulfate (BaSO4). Typically appearing white or colorless, barite serves as the primary source of barium. The baryte group includes barite, celestine (strontium sulfate), anglesite (lead sulfate), and anhydrite (calcium sulfate), with barite and celestine forming a solid solution represented as (Ba,Sr)SO4. Sphalerite, a sulfide mineral represented by the chemical formula (Zn, Fe)S, serves as the principal ore for zinc extraction. This mineral occurs in various types of deposits, predominantly within sedimentary exhalative, Mississippi-Valley type, and volcanogenic massive sulfide formations. It is commonly associated with other minerals such as galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, as well as calcite, dolomite, quartz, rhodochrosite, and fluorite.
Calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable form of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is widely found, especially as a key element in limestone. With a hardness rating of 3 on the Mohs scale, calcite is assessed based on its ability to be scratched. Large crystals of calcite are utilized in optical devices, while limestone, primarily made up of calcite, serves a variety of purposes. This calcite turns yellow in long wave UV.
