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 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
- 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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