This is a small piece of barium. The surface, shown here, is approximately 1x1 cm². The piece of barium is oxidized, despite the fact that it is stored under mineral oil. It is covered by a dark layer. One can nicely see the pattern of the cut in the barium. This is the ordinary appearance of barium, when it is purchased and stored under oil. Truly non-oxidized barium can only be kept like that in a sealed glass ampoule.

The picture below shows a much larger sample of barium, it is approximately 100 grams. This sample also is stored in mineral oil and its color is the same as the color of the smaller sample.