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Celestine Stone
Celestine
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| The mineral |
 |
is known as
Celestine. |
| Celestine is
comprised of
its
constituent
elements
(strontium,
sulphur and
oxygen)
arranged
in the
orthorhombic
system of
crystal
symmetry.
This system
of crystal
symmetry
includes
three
axesthat are
at
right-angles
to each
other and of
different
lengths.
Crystals
celestine
may be
either
tabular or
prismatic
(similar to
baryte - see
below).
Fibrous and
granular
forms are
also found.
The name
"Celestine"
is derived
from the
latin word "celestis",
which means
"celestial".
This choice
of name is
generally
attributed
to the pale
(sky) blue
colour of
many
crystals of
celestine. |
Other
similar
minerals: |
| The mineral |
 |
(Barium
Sulphate) is
known as
Baryte, and
is very
similar to
Celestine,
both |
in terms of
physical
appearance,
and also in
terms of its
chemistry
and chemical
properties.
The
difference
between
these
substances
is that
where the
strontium
atoms are
located in
celestine,
there are
barium atoms
in baryte.
This results
in only
subtle
differences
in chemistry
and
appearance
because
strontium
and barium
are similar
elements in
key
respects. |
Unlike
celestine,
baryte is
not usually
associated
with
metaphysical
properties,
or listed in
the key
texts that
describe the
metaphysical
properties
and
associations
of minerals. |
|
The
photograph
to the right
is of a
natural
(unpolished)
piece of
blue
celestine. | |
Distinguishing
features |
 |
 |
High specific
gravity (but very
similar to baryte,
distinguished from
baryte by the
slightly lower
specific gravity of
celestine); |
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Perfect cleavage of
basal forms; Good
cleavage of
prismatic forms; |
|
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Flame test results
in crimson colour; |
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Hardness 3 to 3.5. |
Associations
of Celestine |
|
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Celestine has
several interesting
metaphysical
characteristics.
These include
suitability for the
following:
 |
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Use
to aid mental
activities and
processes,
integrating
conciousness with
instinct; |
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Facilitating balance
in a wide range of
situations; |
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Use
to aid astral travel
and dream recall. |
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Bringing brightened
hopes and cheerful
disposition -
including calm, and
harmony; |
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Pursuits involving
music and delicate
arts such as
detailed drawing and
painting; |
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As a
gift - in the spirt
of love, light and
blessing; |
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As a healing stone. |
Colours of
Celestine |
| |
The most popular and
well-known shades of
blue celestine range
from colourless
through a faint
bluish-white to
sky-blue.
The two
samples of Blue
Celestine
illustrated below
are from Madagascar.
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The
above
are
photographs
of
Blue
Celestine
plates.
The
image
on
the
left
is a
geode
and
the
one
on
the
right
a
curved
plate. | | | | | |
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