Witherite

Description

Witherite is a barium carbonate mineral with the chemical formula BaCO3. Belonging to the aragonite mineral group, it exhibits an orthorhombic crystal system and is characteristically found in a twinned state. The mineral displays a range of appearances, occurring in various hues including colorless, milky-white, grey, pale-yellow, green, and light brown. Notably, it possesses a specific gravity of 4.3, which is considered high for a translucent material. Under ultraviolet light, witherite exhibits fluorescence in light blue hues and displays phosphorescence when exposed to short-wave radiation. In ceramic applications, witherite serves as a significant source of barium, which acts as a powerful flux in glazes, promoting the development of distinctive matte textures and enhancing the intensity of certain metallic colorants.