Optical and X-Ray Study and Genesis of Barytes from Gattihosahalli, Chitradurga District

Barytes occurs as small, subeconomic, discontinuous lenses and bands interstratified with sericite and fuchsite-bearing quartzite. The mineral has 2V_z=34°, nβ=1.632 and (γ - α)=0.095. There is a close similarity in the powder X-ray data obtained for three samples of the mineral and between these and the ASTM values for BaSO₄. The deposit bears evidence of sedimentary origin; both biochemical processes and volcanic exhalations are inferred to have contributed to the formation of the deposit. The deposit perhaps constitutes the terminal phase of a volcanic cycle.