Celestine - Natural minerals and crystals

Celestite is a mineral composed of strontium sulfate. Its name is given to it in reference to its characteristic sky blue color, which evokes the sky. This coloration is due to traces of impurities, often strontium. Although celestite can occur in different crystalline forms, it is often recognized for its transparent to translucent, tabular or prismatic crystals. Celestite forms in evaporite sedimentary environments, that is, in basins where water evaporates and leaves behind deposits of mineral salts. It is often associated with other evaporite minerals such as gypsum and anhydrite. The main deposits of celestite are found in marine or lacustrine sedimentary raw rocks and minerals">rocks, particularly in ancient salt lake beds. Celestite is a relatively soft and brittle mineral with a low density. Its blue color makes it a popular mineral among collectors. Due to its strontium content, celestite has important industrial applications. strontium is used in the manufacture of fireworks to obtain an intense red color.