Celestine
Image: Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameCelestine
Chemical FormulaSrSO₄
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect on {001}, good on {210}, fair on {010}
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity3.97
Colorsyellowish-orange, white, grey
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityGypsum quarry, Arignac, Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Ariège, Midi-Pyrénées, France
Mineral GroupSulfates
Usessource of strontium, collector's specimens
Associated Mineralsgypsum, calcite, sulfur
Raritycommon
Description
This specimen displays several small, translucent, yellowish-orange celestine crystals embedded within a light grey to white matrix, likely gypsum.
Geological Context
Celestine commonly forms in sedimentary rocks, especially in evaporite deposits such as gypsum quarries, where it precipitates from aqueous solutions. It can also be found in hydrothermal veins.
