Baryte and Moonstone Physical Properties
Tenacity
Brittle
Not Available
Solubility
Soluble
Not Available
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
4.3-5
2.56-2.60
Fracture
Irregular/uneven
Uneven, Uneven, ConchoidalWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Cleavage
Perfect cleavage parallel to base and prism faces: {001} Perfect, {210} Perfect, {010} Imperfect
2,1 basal ; 2,1 prismatic ; 3,1 pinacoidal
Mohs Hardness
3-3.5
6-6.5
Chemical Composition
Not Available
Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
Baryte and Moonstone Chemical Formula
While comparing Baryte and Moonstone 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 Moonstone chemical formula.
>- Chemical formula of Moonstone- Plagioclase Feldspar s: (Na,Ca)Al1-2Si3-2O8 Orthoclase Feldspar : KAlSi3O8
Baryte and Moonstone Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Baryte and Moonstone Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Baryte and Moonstone Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Baryte is 2.56-2.60 whereas that of Moonstone is 2.56-2.60.