Celestine (mineral)

Celestine
Clear grey-blue celestine crystals
General
CategorySulfate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
SrSO4 sometimes contains minor calcium and/or barium
IMA symbolClt[1]
Strunz classification7.AD.35
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnma
Unit cella = 8.359 Å,
b = 5.352 Å,
c = 6.866 Å; Z = 4
Identification
ColorWhite, pink, pale green, pale brown, black, pale blue, reddish, greyish; colourless or lightly tinted in transmitted light
Crystal habitTabular to pyramidal crystals, also fibrous, lamellar, earthy, massive granular
CleavagePerfect on {001}, good on {210}, poor on {010}
FractureUneven
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness3.0–3.5
LusterVitreous, pearly on cleavages
Streakwhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity3.95–3.97
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.619–1.622 nβ = 1.622–1.624 nγ = 1.630–1.632
Birefringenceδ = 0.011
PleochroismWeak
2V angleMeasured: 50°–51°
DispersionModerate r < v
Ultraviolet fluorescenceyellow, white blue (both short and long UV)
References[2][3][4][5]

Celestine (the IMA-accepted name)[6] or celestite[1][7][a] is a mineral consisting of strontium sulfate (SrSO4). The mineral is named for 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.

  1. ^ a b c Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ "Celestine". Lexikon. Mineralien Atlas – Fossilien Atlas (in English and German). Retrieved 25 September 2022 – via mineralienatlas.de.
  3. ^ "Celestine" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. RRUFF™ Database Project. University of Arizona Department of Geology.
  4. ^ "Celestine". Mindat.org.
  5. ^ "Celestine". Webmineral. data.
  6. ^ "List of Minerals". 21 March 2011.
  7. ^ a b Nickel, Ernie; Nichols, Monte (2004). "Mineral list / Materials data". Mineral Names, Redefinitions, & Discreditations Passed by the CNMMN of the IMA (PDF). p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2008.


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