Celestine (or Celestite) is one of my favourite minerals. It is named after the Latin “Caelestis” meaning celestial alluding to the beautiful pale blue colour of many of the crystals which range from almost colourless to faint bluish white.
The crystals are tubular or prismatic.
The origin of my piece is Madagascar.
The largest known geode is located near Put-in-Bay Ohio (USA) on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island. The diameter is approximately thirty five feet ! This geode has had its base removed and forms an amazing crystal cave. This viewing cave has some crystals that weigh up to 300 lbs and some which are as large as eighteen inches across.
Celestine is from the barite (baryte) group of minerals and is mostly found in sedimentary rocks often associated with the minerals gypsum, halite, bedded limestone, dolostone (dolomite) and some volcanic rock. It is found all over the world though usually only in small quantities.
Charlotte
© Copyright Charlotte M Bailey 2012
