Celestina
Celestina is a mineral with formula SrSO₄, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from La Segarra, Torà, Lleida, Catalunya, España.
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 strontium sulfate, analogous to baryte (barium sulfate) and anglesite (lead sulfate). It is highly prized for its transparent blue crystals, which typically form in sedimentary cavities. It stands out for its high density and surprising weight, yet it is very fragile, with a Mohs hardness of just 3. Main strontium ore as well.
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
- Ex-collection
- Carlos Pareja
- Etymology
- From the Latin "caelestis", 'celestial', alluding to the sky-blue colour of some varieties.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Aragonito (Blanco (Bulboso)) — España
- Barita — España
- Barita — Italia
- Barita (Amarilla) — Italia
- Calcita (Dorada) — España
- Celestina — Madagascar
- Jacinto de Compostela — España
- Magnetita — España