Estroncianita
Estroncianita is a mineral with formula SrCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from La Oriolana, Cabeço D'Or, Busot, Comunidad Valenciana, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
White druse on ferruginous matrix. Very good under a loupe: elongated pyramidal strontianite crystals forming sheaves and fan-shaped aggregates. Reacts under UV.
About Estroncianita
These specimens appeared in a specific zone of the La Oriolana mine (Busot) and were initially mistaken for aragonite and calcite on the basis of visual identification alone. Subsequent analyses confirmed that they are chiefly strontianite with appreciable calcium content. In some specimens associations with celestine, calcite and small amounts of quartz have been identified.
About the locality
The Cabeçó d’Or has been surrounded by legends and mining for centuries, with activity intensifying in the late 19th century with the Sociedad Minera La Oriolana. Old galleries and spoil heaps later became ground for collectors, from which uncommon pieces began to circulate, such as these Busot strontianites circulated as curiosities.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0247
- Composition
- SrCO₃
- Name
- Estroncianita
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Lucimera
- Mine
- La Oriolana
- District / Municipality
- Cabeço D'Or
- Province
- Busot
- Region
- Comunidad Valenciana
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 9 x 5 x 3
- Weight
- 43.7 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From the place name Strontian (Scotland), the locality where the mineral was first described and from which the element strontium takes its name. First the mineral, then the element.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España