Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
orthorhombiccommonSulfates
Celestine
SrSO₄
The image displays a cluster of pale blue, well-formed celestine crystals, exhibiting a vitreous luster and good transparency. The crystals are typically tabular to prismatic.
Celestine Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3Crystal System
orthorhombicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect on {001}, good on {210}, imperfect on {010}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
3.97Colors
pale blue, white, colorlessTransparency
transparentType Locality
Wessels Mine, Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South AfricaMineral Group
SulfatesUses
source of strontium, pyrotechnics, ceramics, collectorAssociated Minerals
gypsum, anhydrite, halite, sulfur, calcite, dolomiteRarity
commonGeological Context
Celestine commonly forms in sedimentary rocks, particularly in evaporite deposits, limestones, and dolomites, often as a result of diagenetic replacement or precipitation from hydrothermal solutions.
