|
Celestine
|
|
|
The mineral
|
|
is known as Celestine.
|
|
Celestine is comprised of its constituent elements
(strontium, sulphur and oxygen) arranged
in the orthorhombic system of crystal symmetry. This
system of crystal symmetry includes three axesthat are
at right-angles to each other and of different lengths.
Crystals celestine may be either tabular or prismatic
(similar to baryte - see below). Fibrous and granular
forms are also found.
The name "Celestine" is derived from the
latin word "celestis", which means "celestial".
This choice of name is generally attributed to the pale
(sky) blue colour of many crystals of celestine.
|
|
Other similar minerals:
|
|
The mineral
|
|
(Barium Sulphate) is known as Baryte, and is very similar
to Celestine, both
|
|
in terms of physical appearance, and also in terms
of its chemistry and chemical properties.
The difference between these substances is that where
the strontium atoms are located in celestine, there
are barium atoms in baryte. This results in only subtle
differences in chemistry and appearance because strontium
and barium are similar elements in key respects.
|
|
Unlike celestine, baryte is not usually associated
with metaphysical properties, or listed in the key
texts that describe the metaphysical properties and
associations of minerals.
|
|
The photograph to the right is of a natural
(unpolished) piece of blue celestine.
|
|
|
This page includes the following sections:
|
Structures of Celestine
|
| |
|
|
|
Celestine and Baryte have similar chemical compositions,
the difference being the presence of the element strontium
or barium.
|
|
The chemical symbol for Celestine is:
|
|
|
The chemical symbol for Baryte is:
|
|
|
|
|
Distinguishing features
|
 |
 |
High specific gravity (but very similar to baryte, distinguished
from baryte by the slightly lower specific gravity of celestine);
|
|
|
Perfect cleavage of basal forms; Good cleavage of prismatic
forms;
|
|
|
Flame test results in crimson colour;
|
|
|
Hardness 3 to 3.5.
|
Associations of Celestine
|
| |
Celestine has several interesting metaphysical characteristics.
These include suitability for the following:
|
|
|
Use to aid mental activities and processes, integrating conciousness
with instinct;
|
|
|
Facilitating balance in a wide range of situations;
|
|
|
Use to aid astral travel and dream recall.
|
|
|
Bringing brightened hopes and cheerful disposition - including
calm, and harmony;
|
|
|
Pursuits involving music and delicate arts such as detailed
drawing and painting;
|
|
|
As a gift - in the spirt of love, light and blessing;
|
|
|
As a healing stone.
|
Colours of Celestine
|
| |
The most popular and well-known shades of blue celestine range
from colourless through a faint bluish-white to sky-blue.
Some texts mention other colours of celestine, including "reddish"
[58], yellow,
orange, red and red-brown [1].
The two samples of Blue Celestine illustrated below are from
Madagascar.
|
|
|
The above are photographs of Blue Celestine plates.
The image on the left is a geode and the one on
the right a curved plate. (These are large images
and so may take a minute or two to download.)
|
|
|
Where can I buy Celestine ?
|
| |
Natural Blue Celestine plates
used to be available from the IvyRose Holistic
Online shop but are currently out-of-stock.
When they are available again a link will
be added here.
|
|
|
|
... End of Article ...
Click here to return to the
Crystals Section Index.
|
