Barytocalcite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Barytocalcite
Formula:
BaCa(CO3)2
Colour:
Colourless, white, greyish, greenish, light yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.66 - 3.71
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing BARium and CALCium
Type Locality:
Polymorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
466
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:466:8
IMA Classification of Barytocalcite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Barytocalcite
5.AB.45
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
14.2.6.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
11.5.6
11 : Carbonates
5 : Carbonates of Sr and Ba
11 : Carbonates
5 : Carbonates of Sr and Ba
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bcal | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bcl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Barytocalcite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Barytocalcite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white, greyish, greenish, light yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.66 - 3.71 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.65 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Barytocalcite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.525 nβ = 1.684 nγ = 1.686
2V:
Measured: 15° , Calculated: 10°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.161
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Chemistry of Barytocalcite
Mindat Formula:
BaCa(CO3)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Barytocalcite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.092(1) Å, b = 5.2344(6) Å, c = 6.544(1) Å
β = 106.05(1)°
β = 106.05(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.546 : 1 : 1.25
Unit Cell V:
266.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals normally short to long prismatic [101], also short prismatic [001] or equant. {100} striated [001]; and {111}, {252}, {131} striated [101]. Massive.
Comment:
Cell from Dickens & Bowen (1971). Older cell: 8.13, 5.22, 6.54 Å, 106°.
Crystallographic forms of Barytocalcite
Crystal Atlas:
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Barytocalcite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012045 | Barytocalcite | Alm K F (1960) The crystal structure of barytocalcite BaCa(CO3)2 Arkiv for Mineralogi och Geologi 2 399-410 | 1960 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0013289 | Barytocalcite | Dickens B, Bowen J S (1971) The crystal structure of BaCa(CO3)2 (barytocalcite) Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards - Physics and Chemistry 75A 197-203 | 1971 | Cumberland, England | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017643 | Barytocalcite | Gossner B, Mussgnug F (1930) Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Barytocalcits und seiner strukturellen Beziehungen zu anderen Stoffen _cod_database_code 1010917 Zentralblatt fur Mineralogie und Geologie, A1930 321-328 | 1930 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Barytocalcite
Epitaxy Comments:
Witherite xls in parallel growth on Barytocalcite from Blagill. Baryte on barytocalcite, with baryte {001}[010] parallel to barytocalcite {001}[010]. Calcite on barytocalcite, with calcite (1011), (1101), and (0111) approximately parallel to barytocalcite (101), (111), and (111).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.345 Å | (25) |
| 4.018 Å | (40) |
| 3.140 Å | (90) |
| 3.125 Å | (100) |
| 2.512 Å | (20) |
| 2.379 Å | (20) |
| 2.157 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Barytocalcite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Veins in limestone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Barytocalcite
Dutch:Barytocalciet
German:Barytocalcit
Russian:Баритокальцит
Simplified Chinese:钡解石
Spanish:Barytocalcita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 28 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 26 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 22 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Witherite | BaCO3 |
| 11 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Hausmannite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 |
| 9 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Britvinite | [Pb7(OH)3F(BO3)2(CO3)][Mg4.5(OH)3(Si5O14)] |
| 6 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 6 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 5 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Charoite | (K,Sr)15-16(Ca,Na)32[Si6O11(O,OH)6]2[Si12O18(O,OH)12]2[Si17O25(O,OH)18]2(OH,F)4 · ~3H2O |
| 5 photos of Barytocalcite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 va | Parakutnohorite | |
| 5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
| 5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
| 5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
| 5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Fluorescence of Barytocalcite
Dull yellow (LW & SW UV).
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in dilute HCl.
Baryte and Quartz pseudomorphs after Barytocalcite observed.
Baryte and Quartz pseudomorphs after Barytocalcite observed.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Barytocalcite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-466.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Barytocalcite
Reference List:
Brooke, H.J., Children, J.G. (1824) On baryto-calcite. The Annals of Philosophy, London: 8: 114-116.
Des Cloizeaux, Alfred (1881) Étude de différents minéraux. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 4 (4) 89-96 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1881.1636pp.95-96
Mallard, Ernest (1885) Observations sur les relations cristallographiques et optiques de la barytocalcite dans la série des carbonates, des azotates et des chlorates. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 8 (2) 44-46 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1885.1913
Mallard, Ernest (1895) Sur l'alstonite et la barytocalcite. Bulletin de la Société Française de Minéralogie, 18 (1) 7-12 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1895.2369
Kreutz, Stefan (1909) Contributions to the study of parallel growths of different substances. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 15 (70) 232-237 doi:10.1180/minmag.1909.015.70.05
Dickens, B., Bowen, J.S. (1971) The crystal structure of BaCa(CO3)2 (barytocalcite) Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards Section A: Physics and Chemistry, 75 (3) 197-203 doi:10.6028/jres.075a.020
YOUNG, B. (1984) The distribution of barytocalcite and alstonite in the Northern Pennine Orefield. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological
Society, 45 (3). 199-206 doi:10.1144/pygs.45.3.199
Frost, Ray L., Dickfos, Marilla J. (2008) Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the anhydrous carbonate minerals shortite and barytocalcite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 71 (1) 143-146 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2007.11.021
Localities for Barytocalcite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Angola | |
| Cruz et al. (2008) |
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Noble et al. (1983) |
| Ralph Bottrill collection |
Austria | |
| Kirchner et al. (2007) |
| Exel (1993) |
Brazil | |
| Traversa et al. (2001) +2 other references |
| Traversa et al. (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Costanzo et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Pell (1987) +1 other reference |
| Piilonen et al. (2022) | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Scott et al. (1986) |
| Grice et al. (1984) +2 other references |
| Liferovich et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Platt & Wooley (1990) |
| HORVÁTH (2010) |
| Nadeau et al. (2015) +2 other references |
| Gardner et al. (1985) |
| Ansdell et al. (1989) +1 other reference | |
Chile | |
| Ruiz Fuller C.-Peebles F. +2 other references |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
China | |
| www.chuanyumining.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Lü Zhi-cheng et al. (2004) |
| USGS Bull. 2143 |
| Shenghua Wu et al. (2010) |
| Shenghua Wu et al. (2011) |
| Lü Zhi-cheng et al. (2004) |
| Tang Juxing et al. (1998) |
| Zhongcheng Wang (1996) | |
| Bai et al. (1985) |
Czech Republic | |
| Knížek et al. (2014) |
| P. Škácha +1 other reference |
| Duda |
Finland | |
| Vartiainen (1980) |
| Al-Ani Thair +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
India | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Israel | |
| Krüger et al. (2018) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| Degenfelder et al. (2016) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Shevkunov et al. (2022) |
Namibia | |
| Gardner et al. (1985) |
New Zealand | |
| Cooper et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Woolley (2019) |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) | |
Russia | |
| Konev et al. (1993) |
| Pekov (1998) | |
| Vladykin et al. (2018) | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Савельева et al. (2021) |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 |
| Zaitsev et al. (1992) +2 other references | |
| Sorokhtina et al. (2008) |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Belovitskaya et al. (2004) |
| Brusnitsyn (2000) |
| Doroshkevich et al. (2016) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) | |
| Duda et. all. |
South Africa | |
| Giebel et al. (2017) |
| Costin et al. (2015) |
| Costin et al. (2014) +1 other reference | |
Sweden | |
| Cámara et al. (2021) |
| Holtstam et al. (2001) |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) | |
| Holtstam et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
Turkey | |
| Ersoy et al. (2025) |
UK | |
| Dunham K C. 1990. Geology of the ... |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) |
| BMS Collection |
| Green et al. (2000) |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) | |
| BMS Collection |
| |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) | |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) | |
| Dr Stephen Moreton collection. |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) |
| Dunham et al. (2nd Edition) | |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Day (1999) | |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Day (1999) |
| Tindle (2008) | |
| Moles et al. (2024) |
| Day (1999) |
| Cotterell et al. (2011) |
| |
USA | |
| Smith (1988) |
| Henry Barwood - unpublished (2010) | |
| Rocks & Min.: 56:248 & 63:113. |
| Morgan et al. (1969) +2 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Tank (1972) +2 other references | |
| Reiner Mielke 2017 |
| Anderson (1994) |
| Goldstein (2006) |
| Goldstein (2006) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Chao et al. (1961) |
| Tracy et al. (2003) |
| Mrose et al. (1961) |
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Rosebery Mine, Rosebery, Rosebery district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia