SrSO₄
Celestine
Strontium sulphate, orthorhombic, soft enough that a specimen drawer treats it better than a ring does.
- Formula
- SrSO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3–3.5
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Colour
- blue
- Element
- air
- Chakra (tradition)
- crown
- Zodiac
- Pisces, Gemini
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Madagascar, United States, Italy
What it actually is
Celestine is SrSO₄ before it is a story. The lattice is orthorhombic, Mohs 3–3.5, and the eye meets blue.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Madagascar, United States, Italy. Strontium sulphate, orthorhombic, soft enough that a specimen drawer treats it better than a ring does.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Celestine to air and to the crown centre. The old site stood it near: Pisces, Gemini.
How not to turn it to ash
Softer than a steel knife. No ultrasonic bath, no acid, no sudden heat. Dust wants a dry cloth.