Baryte and Common Opal Physical Properties
Tenacity
Brittle
  
Not Available
  
Solubility
Soluble
  
Not Available
  
Durability
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Specific Gravity
4.3-5
  
1.98-2.50
  
Fracture
Irregular/uneven
  
Conchoidal, Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001)
  
Cleavage
Perfect cleavage parallel to base and prism faces: {001} Perfect, {210} Perfect, {010} Imperfect
  
Not Available
  
Mohs Hardness
3-3.5
  
5.5-6.5
  
Chemical Composition
Not Available
  
SiO 2 · nH 2OWalter Schumann , Gemstones of the world (2001)
  
Baryte and Common Opal Chemical Formula
While comparing Baryte and Common Opal physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Baryte and Common Opal chemical formula.
>- Chemical formula of Common Opal- SiO 2 · nH 2OWalter Schumann , Gemstones of the world (2001)
Baryte and Common Opal Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Baryte and Common Opal Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Baryte and Common Opal Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Baryte is 1.98-2.50 whereas that of Common Opal is 1.98-2.50.