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Celestina

Celestina is a mineral with formula SrSO₄, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from Mina «Quien tal Pensara», El Pilar de Jaravia, Almería, Andalucía, España.

Celestina from Mina «Quien tal Pensara», El Pilar de Jaravia, Almería, Andalucía, España — Terrium

Description

Group of white, fragile acicular crystals distributed in a red and brown earthy matrix, forming a delicate whole. The crystals are slender and well-defined, standing out for their radiating arrangement that gives the piece an ethereal and very visual appearance.

History of this specimen

A piece from one of Spain's historic deposits, known for its wealth of high-quality celestine. The earthy matrix and the arrangement of the crystals suggest hydrothermal formation under specific conditions, typical of the region. The El Pilar de Jaravia deposit has been a world reference for the supply of celestine. And today this mine, called Mina Rica, is the one with the Pulpí Geode with gypsum crystals intergrown with needles of this type of celestine.

About Celestina

Celestine is a strontium sulfate, isostructural with baryte (barium sulfate) and anglesite (lead sulfate). Typically found in sedimentary cavities, it is a highly sought-after species due to its transparent blue crystals. It features a high density that feels surprisingly heavy in hand, contrasted by marked fragility and a Mohs hardness of only 3. It is also the world's primary strontium ore.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0425
Composition
SrSO₄
Name
Celestina
Group
Sulfatos
Mine
Mina «Quien tal Pensara»
District / Municipality
El Pilar de Jaravia
Province
Almería
Region
Andalucía
Country
España
Size (cm)
11 x 6 x 4
Weight
194.4 g
Ex-collection
Aleydis Soliveres
Etymology
From the Latin 'caelestis' (celestial), because of the characteristic pale blue color of its crystals.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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