Celestina
Celestina is a mineral with formula SrSO₄, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from La Segarra, Torà, Lleida, Catalunya, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Cavity completely lined by prismatic and acicular celestine crystals, colourless to whitish-blue, arranged radially towards the centre of the geode. The matrix is gypsiferous, with an earthy texture.
About Celestina
Celestine is a sulphate-group mineral composed of strontium sulphate. It crystallises in the orthorhombic system and typically forms in evaporitic sedimentary environments. The Torà geodes are characterised by well-defined cavities and transparent crystals with acicular or slender prismatic habit.
About the locality
The Torà deposit, in the comarca of La Segarra (Lleida), is a classic Spanish locality for celestine geodes in Miocene marls and gypsum. Local workings exposed cavities lined by bright strontianite crystals, much sought after by collectors since the mid-20th century. Access and extraction are currently prohibited throughout the area.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0386
- Composition
- SrSO₄
- Name
- Celestina
- Group
- Sulfatos
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Marga miocena
- Mine
- La Segarra
- District / Municipality
- Torà
- Province
- Lleida
- Region
- Catalunya
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 6 x 5.5 x 3.5
- Weight
- 101.7 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Ex-collection
- Carlos Pareja
- Etymology
- From the Latin "caelestis", 'celestial', alluding to the sky-blue colour of some varieties.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
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