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Celestina

Celestina is a mineral with formula SrSO₄, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from Sakoany, Katsepi, Mitsinjo, Boeny, Madagascar.

Celestina from Sakoany, Katsepi, Mitsinjo, Boeny, Madagascar — Terrium

Description

Very good crystallisation. Elongate piece with one face covered by thick, well-formed blue celestine crystals, translucent with vitreous lustre. Flat faces and sharp edges.

About Celestina

Celestine is a sulphate, SrSO₄, the principal strontium mineral.

About the locality

Sakoany (in Katsepy, Boeny) is Madagascar's classic locality for blue celestine, noted for having produced tonnes of pale to medium blue crystals. After its discovery in 1967, workings began on the seashore itself, then moved a few hundred metres to higher ground (+15 m). Today the deposit is worked by numerous small, irregular pits in the ground that reach 15 metres in depth.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0514
Internal reference
X0049
Composition
SrSO₄
Name
Celestina
Group
Sulfatos
Mine
Sakoany
District / Municipality
Katsepi
Province
Mitsinjo
Region
Boeny
Country
Madagascar
Etymology
From Latin "caelestis" ("celestial").
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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