|
|
| Formula: | SrSO4 |  Click to see a larger image |
||
| Crystal: | Orthorhombic | |||
| Hardness: | 3-3.5 | |||
| Spec. Gr.: | 3.97 | |||
| Streak: | White | |||
| Cleavage: | Good basal and prismatic | |||
| Location: | Majunga, Madagascar |
| Celestine (Celestite), resembles barite in habit and appearance. Its color is usually white but may be faintly bluish or reddish. It associates with limestone or sandstone and sometimes occurs in gypsum beds. It forms as tabular crystals, as fibrous masses, and may be globular. Its name is from COELESTIS and CELESTIAL, alluding to its faint blue color. It is used in the preparation of strontium nitrate in fireworks, and in the refining of sugar. Celestine at Majunga occurs as water-clear, light blue tabular crystals, in geodes ranging in size from 2-3 inches to 20 inches. They have value only as specimens. |
|
Bibliography: Bancroft, Peter, Gem and Crystal Treasures, 1984, pg. 322-325. |
|
University of California, Santa Barbara—Department of Earth Science Copyright © 2005 Regents of the University of California Send your comments to the Web Page Editor |