Mohs 3–3.5
Vickers (~) 170 HV
Knoop (~) 185 HK
Geological setting
Hydrothermal
Element composition by mass
Formula: BaCO₃ · molar mass: 197.34 g/mol
| Ba | 69.59% | |
| O | 24.32% | |
| C | 6.09% |
Computed from atomic weights (IUPAC 2021). Site-occupancy groups (Fe,Mn) split equally.
Mohs Hardness
3–3.5
Witherite sits at 3–3.5 on the Mohs scale — can be scratched by a steel knife.
Colors:
Streak
White
White
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Orthorhombic
CarbonatesCarbonates
TL;DR · 1 min read
Witherite (BaCO₃) is barium carbonate — the carbonate analog of baryte (BaSO₄). Named after English chemist William Withering, it is the principal carbonate ore of barium.
Witherite (BaCO₃) is barium carbonate — the carbonate analog of baryte (BaSO₄). Named after English chemist William Withering, it is the principal carbonate ore of barium. Witherite forms in low-temperature hydrothermal vein assemblages, often paired with galena and fluorite. Northumberland and Cumberland (England) are the historical type-area sources for collector specimens.
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