Celestine

A celestine from Madagascar. The piece shows the characteristic delicate blue color of the Madagascan celestine deposits, which are considered the world's premium source for this mineral.

Celestine (SrSO₄) is a strontium sulfate that crystallizes in sedimentary layers and hydrothermal fissures. The blue coloration is caused by the crystal lattice itself, without trace element admixtures as is the case with most colored minerals.

The deposits in Sakoany (Mahajanga, Northwest Madagascar) produce the world's highest quality celestine material. The geodes contain clear, transparent crystal clusters with the typical sky-blue coloration; the name 'celestine' comes from the Latin 'caelestis' = heavenly.

With a Mohs hardness of 3-3.5, celestine is soft. Mineralogical collection requires display in protected showcases.

A Madagascan collector's piece with Sakoany provenance and gemologically classified sky-blue coloration.