Celestite
About
Celestite, also known as celestine, is a pale blue mineral composed of strontium sulphate. Its ethereal colour and translucent appearance give it an angelic, otherworldly quality. Found in geodes and crystal clusters, celestite is known for its calming energy and visual beauty. Major sources include Madagascar, the United States, and Mexico.
Birthstones & Anniversaries
Celestite is not a traditional birthstone but is associated with serenity, peace, and spiritual connection, making it a meaningful gift for those seeking calm and clarity.
Crystal Healing Energy
The overarching theme of celestite is peace and divine connection. Celestite is thought to inspire deep tranquility, enhance intuition, and facilitate connection with higher realms. Its gentle energy supports meditation, dream recall, and emotional healing, making it a powerful tool for spiritual practices and stress relief.
Facts
Fragile Nature: With a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5, celestite is delicate and requires careful handling to avoid scratching or breakage.
Fluorescence: Some celestite specimens fluoresce under UV light, adding to their ethereal quality.
Major Sources: Madagascar is renowned for its high-quality celestite geodes, while notable deposits also exist in Ohio (USA) and Sicily (Italy).
Elemental Composition: Celestite’s strontium content makes it a valuable mineral for industrial applications, though it is most appreciated for its aesthetic and metaphysical properties.
Colour Range: While typically pale blue, celestite can also appear white, yellow, or reddish, depending on impurities.
Science
Mineral: Celestite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Chemistry: SrSO₄
Colour: Pale blue, white, colourless, or light shades of yellow and red
Refractive Index: 1.619 to 1.622
Specific Gravity: 3.95 to 3.97
Mohs Hardness: 3 to 3.5
TreatmentsCelestite is typically untreated, and its natural pale blue hue is highly prized.
SyntheticsSynthetic celestite is uncommon, as the natural material is abundant.
ImitationsDyed quartz or glass may sometimes be used to imitate celestite. These imitations often lack the characteristic softness and natural crystal structure of natural celestite.
similar materialsBlue Calcite: Similar in colour but softer, with a more opaque appearance and different crystal structure.
Angelite: A variety of anhydrite that shares a similar pale blue hue but is more opaque and lacks celestite’s translucency.
Blue Halite: A salt mineral that can resemble celestite in colour but is much softer and dissolves in water.