A medium-small size Celestite cluster packed with amazingly beautiful formed crystals that are held together by the grey matrix.
This wonderful crystal cluster is a perfect piece for mineral collections.
WHAT IS CELESTITE:
Celestite typically in sedimentary rocks, it forms as a groundwater or low temperature hydrothermal precipitate, meaning the crystals are formed by groundwater depositing the mineral in cavities in the host rock.
Celestine geodes such as those found in Madagascar are understood to form by replacement of alabaster nodules consisting of the calcium sulfates gypsum or anhydrite.
Calcium sulfate is highly soluble, but strontium sulfate is mostly insoluble.
Strontium-bearing solutions that come into contact with calcium sulfate nodules dissolve the calcium away, leaving a cavity.
The strontium is immediately precipitated as celestite, with the crystals growing into the newly-formed cavity.
The blue celestine that most people are familiar with comes from Northwestern Madagascar. Large crystals and geodes are frequently found there.
Size: 72x60x42 mm
Weight: 195 grams
NOTE:
Celestite should not get wet. It has a value of 3-3.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which is below the minimum value required for minerals to survive underwater. Water can seep into the crevices of stones, widening their cracks and damaging them. It can also dull the color of the stones.
Celestite should not be put in sunlight. When exposed to sunlight for a long time, the distinctive sky-blue color of the stone will turn white. Besides dulling its color, sunlight will also damage the structure of the stone.
Metaphysical properties of Celestite.