Celestine
| Colour | Blue, White, Pink, Green, Brown |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 3.0–3.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous, pearly on cleavages |
| Streak | white |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {001}, good on {210}, poor on {010} |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Chemical formula | SrSO sometimes contains minor calcium and/or barium |
| Specific gravity | 3.95–3.97 |
What is Celestine?
Celestine (the IMA-accepted name) or celestite is a mineral consisting of strontium sulfate (SrSO4). The mineral is named after its occasional delicate blue color. Celestine and the carbonate mineral strontianite are the principal sources of the element strontium, commonly used in fireworks and in various metal alloys.
How to identify Celestine
- Lustre: Vitreous, pearly on cleavages.
- Hardness: Mohs 3.0–3.5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: white.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Celestine in different forms
Stones often confused with Celestine
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Celestine?
Celestine is Mohs 3.0–3.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Celestine?
Celestine is typically blue, white, pink, green, brown (White, pink, pale green, pale brown, black, pale blue, reddish, greyish; colourless or lightly tinted in transmitted lig).