天青石
SrSO4
Celestite is a sulfate mineral prized by collectors for its exceptional color range, with notable Chinese occurrences.
Celestite (SrSO₄) is strontium sulfate, isostructural with barite. Its name, from Latin “caelestis” (heavenly), references the iconic sky-blue color of the finest specimens — color that comes from natural radiation damage to its crystal lattice. Madagascar geode interiors lined with sky-blue tabular Celestite crystals are the world standard for the species, while Sicilian historical specimens preserve the type material.
Forms and colors
Celestite crystallizes as tabular to prismatic crystals, classically lining geode interiors in the pale sky-blue the species is named for; white and colorless crystals are common, and the blue can soften with long exposure to direct sun — display it away from strong light.
Our sources
Alongside Madagascar material, we stock celestite of Yunnan, China origin — a much less common provenance than the Madagascar standard, and a natural fit for a China-focused collection.
Collector notes
Celestite is the principal ore of strontium — the element behind crimson signal flares and fireworks — and its perfect cleavage makes intact crystal edges a mark of careful handling. Hardness 3–3.5: treat it as gently as calcite.
From our inventory
See the Yunnan locality page.
