WHAT IS THE MINERAL BARITE (AKA BARYTE)? BARITE IS BARIUM SULFATE, BaSO4. MOST BARIUM (77%) IS USED AS A WEIGHTING AGENT IN DRILLING FLUIDS FOR GAS & OIL EXPLORATION. THE CRYSTAL STURCTURE IS ORTHORHOMBIC (TABULAR & FIBROUS). THESE SPECIMENS MAKE AN EXTREMELY NICE DISPLAY!. CLICK ON PICURE TO SEE MORE.