Blue Celestite

Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5, pale blue color, vitreous to pearly luster, orthorhombic crystal system, and perfect cleavage in three directions.

Forms primarily in sedimentary environments as a precipitate in evaporite deposits, cavities in limestones, and occasionally in hydrothermal veins.

Used as the primary ore for strontium extraction, in fireworks for brilliant red flames, and highly prized by crystal collectors for display specimens.

Named from the Latin word caelestis meaning celestial, referencing its frequent soft blue sky color. Madagascar produces some of the world's largest and finest crystal clusters.

Identified by its distinctive pale blue color, softness allowing it to be scratched by a coin, and heavy feel due to a specific gravity around 3.95. Common localities include Madagascar, Italy, and the USA.