CELESTITE
Specimen cel-53

Dims: 4-1/2" x 2-3/4" x 2-1/4"

Wt: 11.3 oz

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

I've not seen this shape in Celestite crystals before. They are long, measuring up to 1-5/16 inches in length, and narrow, with a base diameter of 1/2 inch or less, and tapering up to points! Their shape reminds me of that of Stibnite or Jamesonite, but this is Celestite we're talking about here! Needless to say, the color is a lovely sky blue that deepens towards the terminations, and these long lovelies are quite transparent. Steve was greatly pleased when he saw this specimen; so was I, and so, hopefully, will you be!

Dims: 4.5" x 3.9" x 2.6" (11.4 x 9.9 x 6.6 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 12.1 oz. (1.251 kg)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Though many of the Celestite crystals in this specimen show damage in one form or another, the excellent form and clarity of the intact crystals is wonderful! They range in size from 2 x 3 x 3 mm to 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6" (2.5 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm) and have the orthorombic prismatic form with complex domed terminations that one expects from material from this locality. Even the damaged crystals have excellent form, with clean, smooth faces and well-defined edges that accentuate their vitreous luster. All are colored the pale gray-blue that is common in this material, and most are transparent and quite clear; a few are astoundingly clear, so that one can see down through the faces of their terminations all the way to their bases! The underside of the specimen is quite rounded, as if it consisted of part of a nodule, but strangely enough, there is no edge- the rounded area is adjacent to the crystals, so I can't really tell how the specimen grew in its place of origin. It is almost completely Celestite by mass, though, as there is only a very thin coating of the tan host rock on its rounded underside.

Dims: 4.6" x 4.6" x 3.3" (11.7 x 11.7 x 8.4 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 12.0 oz. (794 g)

Clay Center, Ohio, U.S.A.

This specimen is NOT what comes to mind when somebody says "Celestite!" It is, however, a unique specimen from an almost-unknown locality in our home state of Ohio. It consists of a large cluster of radiating orthorombic blades of colorless and somewhat transparent Celestite that grow out of a small amount of a brown calcareous shale host rock. The crystals generally do not exceed 1.0" (2.5 cm), though some may have before the specimen was mined. Many of the crystals are broken, as the blades are exposed and very thin and delicate. Most of the smaller blades are intact, however, and show very sharp, chevon-shaped termination edges. Their luster tends to be pearly-to-waxy and though they are transparent, clarity varies according to inclusions and internal fractures from crystal to crystal. Accompanying the Celestite are at least 15 chubby, yellow scalenohedral calcite crystals, all of which show end-to-end twinning! All of these also have a pearly-to-waxy luster and are generally translucent, though showing transparence in isolated areas. Their form is generally good, though some of the crystals are so intergrown with the Celestite blades that their form is rather difficult to define. This material was part of a "Silurian Reef" formation that was found in a pocket 450' (approx. 40 m) deep. Part of this unexpected find consisted of a variety of invertebrate fossils which were replaced by the calcite and Celestite in such a way as to preserve incredible definition and detail.

Dims: 5.1" x 3.3" x 1.4" (13.0 x 8.4 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 14.8 oz. (420 g)

Japan

Specimens such as this may be known to some as "Chrysanthemum Stones". I can assure you that they are not fossilized flowers! This specimen consists of a radiating cluster of Celestite prisms that have been trapped in a brown matrix rock that I believe is made of limestone. The limestone has been ground down enough so that a cross-section of the cluster is visible. According to their visible dimensions, the Celestites do not exceed 1.2" (3.0 cm) in length and 0.1" (0.3 cm) in diameter. All appear to have a white coloration, but their luster and clarity cannot be accurately determined. The quality of their orthorhombic prismatic form is also questionable, but one can at least see that their outlines are more or less regular. Except for the area that encompasses the cluster and a small, cut surface that acts as a "base", the entire surface of the host rock has been coated with a shiny lacquer.

Dims: 3.2 x 3.2 x 2.2" (8.1 x 8.1 x 5.6 cm)

Wt: 12.8 oz. (363.0 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This specimen consists of a heavy crust of intergrown Celestite crystals that once lined a hollow in a grainy host rock which has since eroded away. Most of the crystals in the hollow are intact- only those on the edges of the cluster show damage, but most of these are badly broken. The crystals that are intact, however, are in excellent condition and achieve lengths of over 1" (2.5 cm). Their orthorhombic prismatic form is some of the best that I have seen from this locality- the crystals are unusally long for their diameters, and have well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a vitreous luster. They have the standard pale gray-blue coloration of Madagascar Celestite and are transparent and moderately clear, as they contain many tiny bubbles and cloudy inclusions.

Dims: 3.6 x 2.3 x 2.1" (9.1 x 5.8 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 13.4 oz. (381.0 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This hand specimen consists of scores of Celestite crystals that line the hollows in a grainy, pale-brown host rock. The crystals reach lengths of 0.6" (1.5 cm) and are generally in excellent condition, especially as many of them are highly exposed. All have exceptional orthorhombic prismatic form- many of the crystals are unusually long and slender, and some are almost spiky in shape. Their color is a pale grayish-blue and all have a vitreous luster. All are likewise transparent, and most of them are exceptionally clear. The host rock is rather sparse, as most of it was probably worn away after the crystals formed.

Dims: 4.3 x 3.6 x 1.8" (10.9 x 9.1 x 4.6 cm)

Wt: 9.6 oz. (272.6 g)

Mandata, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

At least 20 orhorhombic prismatic Celestite crystals rest on the flat shale host rock of this hand specimen. These crystals are in good condition, though many are visibly damaged or broken. The largest of these has dimensions of 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.3" (1.3 x 1.0 x 0.8 cm) and has a good but disjointed form (see the close-up image), as do all of the others. Their edges are well-defined, however, and their faces are clean and possess a luster that ranges from almost silky to pearly to vitreous. All have the standard pale gray-blue coloration and are transparent, though clarity ranges from high to dim, increasing according to smallness of size. Actually, there are hundreds of Celestite crystals on this specimen, but all but the aforementioned are almost microscopic, not exceeding 1 or 2 mm in any dimension.

Dims: 3.6 x 3.0 x 2.3" (9.1 x 7.6 x 5.8 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 0.0 oz. (455.0 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This hand specimen consists of a thick, heavy crust that is made up of hundreds of partly intergrown Celestite crystals. The crystals on the more exposed convex side of the specimen are mostly damaged or broken, but those on the more sheltered, concave side are generally in excellent condition. All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean, flat faces that possess a vitreous luster. All of the crystals have the standard pale gray-blue coloration of Celestite, with the color's depth corresponding to the size of the crystals- a few of the smallest crystals appear almost colorless. All are transparent and incredibly clear in the upper halves of their lengths, except when marred by internal fracturing, but very few of the crystals have these. There is a small amount of a crumbly, dull tan host rock present.

Dims: 3.8 x 2.6 x 2.6" (9.7 x 6.6 x 6.6 cm)

Wt: 14.3 oz. (405 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Scores of long, thin orthorhombic prismatic Celestite crystals make up the bulk of the mass of this hand specimen. The largest of these crystals is obvious (see the close-up image), and has dimensions of 1.9 x 0.5 x 0.4" (4.8 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm)- all of the other crystals are much smaller, and generally do not exceed 1" (2.5 cm) in length or 0.1" (3 mm) in width or depth. Though many of the smaller crystals are damaged or broken, a surprisingly large number are intact. All have good form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright vitreous luster. They have the classic pale gray-blue coloration whose depth corresponds to crystal size; thus, some of the smallest crystals are essentially colorless. They are all transparent and quite clear, though the largest crystals tend to cloud quickly towards their bases. A thin crust of a crumbly brown host rock covers the underside of the piece.

Dims: 3.4 x 3.0 x 2.4" (8.6 x 7.6 x 6.1 cm)

Wt: 14.7 oz. (418g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This hand specimen consists of a crust made up of scores of long, thin intergrown Celestite crystals. These crystals are generally in very good condition, as damage is not very widespread, and reach lengths of 1.1" (2.8 cm). All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with sharp, straight edges and clean faces that possess a bright vitreous luster. Their color ranges from a pale gray-blue to nearly colorless according to their size, and most are transparent and quite clear, though some of the larger crystals are either partly or mostly clouded with inclusions. There is a small amount of the dull, pale brown host rock on which crystals from this locality form, but most of it has been worn away.

Dims: 1.6 x 1.4 x 1.0" (4.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.12 oz. (32.0 g)

Bineu-Kyr, Turkmenistan

This lovely thumbnail specimen consists of a crust made up of scores of partly intergrown Celestite blades. These crystals achieve lengths of up to 0.6" (1.5 cm) and are generally in very good condition- there is surprisingly little visible damage. The crystals have excellent orthorhombic bladed form, with well-defined edges and clean, smooth faces that possess a vitreous luster. Their color is rather odd in the fact their upper halves are generally almost colorless, but their lower halves are stained a brick-red color, likely from iron inclusions. There is only a thin crust of a pale gray host rock beneath the crust.

Dims: 3.1 x 1.9 x 1.1" (7.9 x 4.8 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 3.17 oz. (90.1 g)

L'vov, Ukraine

This rather odd specimen strongly resembles similar pieces found in Sicily- it consists of several pseudohexagonal Celestite crystals that rest on a bed made up of a few sulfur crystals that are intergrown with several clusters of tiny calcite scalenohedrons. These Celestites reach dimensions of 0.7 x 0.3 x 0.3" (1.8 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm) and are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage that I can see. Their form is also excellent, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a dull pearly luster on their prism lengths and a vitreous luster on their terminations. All have a thin milky white coloration and are translucent and cloudy. Though some of the sulfur and calcite crystals on the base are broken, most are intact and in very good condition. They cover a thin, uneven slab of what appears to be a shale or limestone host rock.

Dims: 6.7 x 4.6 x 4.6" (17.0 x 11.7 x 11.7 cm)

Wt: 8.1 lbs. (3.7 kg)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Though this carved specimen may be a bit too "decorative" for some serious collectors, we think that it is certainly interesting enough to display. As one can see, the piece consists of a large chunk of Celestite that is made up of scores, or even hundreds of orthorhombic crystals ranging in size from 0.2 - 2.2" (0.5 - 5.6 cm) along each axis. It has been carved into the shape of a large egg that is about equal in size to an ostrich egg and polished to a moderately glossy sheen. As the only discernable crystalline faces are protected in crevices and hollows, they are all in excellent condition, with good form- their edges are well-defined and their faces are clean, possessing a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster. All have a pale blue-gray color whose depth depends on the size of the crystal; the largest crystals tend to possess the deepest coloration. Clarity also corresponds to size, in that the smaller crystals tend to be transparent, whereas the larger crystals lose clarity and are translucent. Apart from the Celestite, there is only a small amount of the chalky, dull cream-colored host rock that usually accompanies crystals from this locality. As such material tends to be quite delicate and crumbly, much time and care must have been taken in the creation of this mineral egg.

Dims: 3.3 x 2.9 x 2.1" (8.4 x 7.4 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 6.0 oz. (624 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This hand specimen consists almost entirely of Celestite by weight. Though all of it is crystalline, only a small amount is exposed and able to form complete crystals. These crystals do not exceed 0.7" (1.8 cm) and are in moderately good condition, as many are damaged, and the largest one is broken and missing its termination. Those that are intact, however, have excellent orthrohrombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a vitreous luster. Their color is a very pale grayish-blue, and they are transparent and very clear. The small amount of host rock present has a pale brown coloration and is dull and crumbly.

Dims: 5.9 x 4.5 x 2.7" (15.0 x 11.4 x 6.9 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 11.9 oz. (1.244 kg)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This large hand specimen consists of a formation of hundreds of small, intergrown Celestite crystals that is partly coated with a thin layer of host rock. The longest of these crystals reaches 0.6" (1.5 cm), and they are generally in moderately good condition, as there are many that are visibly damaged or broken and incomplete. Their orthorhombic prismatic form is excellent- all have well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a vitreous luster, and many sport sharp, pyramidal terminations. Their color is a very pale gray-blue, and all are transparent and moderately to very clear. The surrounding layer of host rock has a pale brown coloration and is dull and rather crumbly, as is the celestite material that it coats.

Dims: 3.1 x 2.5 x 2.1" (7.9 x 6.4 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 7.98 oz. (226.4 g)

Beinev-Kyr, Turkmenia

This rather unusual specimen consists almost entirely of Celestite. The celestite occurs in the form of a chunk of semicrystalline material that contains two hollows. These hollows are large and complementary to each other, and contain scores of small Celestite blades. The blades range in length from 0.1" (3 mm) to 0.4" (1.0 cm) and are in very good condition- only a few show any damage, as they are generally protected inside of their hollows. All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that show a nearly vitreous luster. Though the surrounding semicrystalline material shows a deep rust-red coloration and are opaque, the crystals appear to be colorless, transparent, and exceptionally clear, apart from the occasional internal fracture. A very small amount of a gray, clay-like material is visible on the undamaged outer surfaces of the specimen.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.2 x 1.7" (8.1 x 5.6 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 4.13 oz. (117.3 g)

Mandata, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

At least 15 orthorhombic prismatic Celestite crystals rest in the hollows of the shale host rock of this specimen. Though many of these crystals are damaged or broken, most of them are in excellent condition. They achieve lengths of up to 0.7" (1.8 cm) and have excellent form, with truncated basal terminations. Their edges are very well-defined and their faces are clean, possessing a pearly-to-vitreous luster. All have the standard pale gray-blue coloration of Celestite and are transprent and moderately to dimly clear due to cloudy inclusions. The many hollows in which they rest are lined with hundreds of tiny calcites that have a good trigonal tabular or prismatic form and are basically colorless, transparent, and clear.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.8 x 1.3" (5.6 x 4.6 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 4.10 oz. (116.4 g)

Mandata, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Though there are perhaps hundreds of Celestite crystals on this specimen, only one of these is both intact and larger than 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1" (3 x 3 x 3 mm). This lone crystal has dimensions of 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.3" (1.0 x 1.0 x 0.8 cm), and is in excellent condition, showing no damage. Its orthorhombic prismatic form is also excellent, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly luster. It has the standard pale gray-blue coloration of Celestite and is transparent and quite clear, though it contains several internal fractures. Several equally large, broken crystals rest nearby, and countless tiny Celestites create a druse that coats part of the pale brown host rock, which appears to be made of shale.

Dims: 3.6 x 2.1 x 0.1" (9.1 x 5.3 x 0.3 cm)

Wt: 28.0 g

China

This partly polished specimen consists of a slab of Chrysanthemum Stone, wherein sprays of radiating Celestite prisms have been enveloped by a host rock. The longest visible crystal measures at least 1.2" (3 cm) in length. Due to cutting and polishing, it is nearly impossible to assess damage and quality of form, though it does appear that some breakage has occurred. The white coloration of the Celestites stands out well against the dark color of the host rock, which I cannot identify.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.5 x 1.7" (8.1 x 6.4 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 13.7 oz. (388 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Most of the mass of this hand specimen consists of a single, very large Celestite crystal that is surrounded by several smaller crystals. All of these crystals appear to be either damaged or broken, but the two largest ones are in the best condition. The largest crystal has dimensions of 2.1 x 1.9 x 1.2" (5.3 x 4.8 x 3.0 cm) and shows warped but reasonably good orthorhombic prismatic form, with moderately well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly luster. The next largest crystal is much smaller, having dimensions of 1.4 x 1.1 x 0.5" (3.6 x 2.8 x 1.3 cm), and though damaged, has the best form. All have a moderately pale gray-blue coloration and are transparent and dimly to moderately clear, containing many internal fractures and cloudy inclusions. A small amount of a pale brown host rock partly covers one side.

Dims: 2.6 x 2.1 x 1.1" (6.6 x 5.3 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 3.6 oz. (103 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

At least 20 small Celestite crystals line the inside of this section of a small vug. These crystals are generally in excellent condition and reach lengths of nearly 0.7" (1.8 cm). All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright pearly luster. They have a very pale blue-gray color and are translucent to dimly transparent. The outer surface of the vug is covered with a layer of crumbly, dull, pale brown host rock.

Dims: 4.7 x 4.0 x 2.6" (11.9 x 10.2 x 6.6 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 2.7 oz. (983 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Part of a Celestite vug makes up this large hand specimen. This vug is made up almost entirely of Celestite crystals, most of which are in excellent condition. Almost all of them are quite small, not exceeding 0.2" (5 mm) in length or diameter, but one particular crystal has dimensions of 1.3 x 0.8 x 0.5" (3.3 x 2.0 x 1.3 cm) (see the second image). All have very good orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces. Their color is primarily a very faint gray-blue, but the larger crystal is accordingly deeper in color. All have a bright pearly luster and are transparent, but again, the larger crystal is slightly duller in luster and only dimly transparent, containing many cloudy inclusions and internal fractures. There is a substantial amount of the chalky, pale brown host material coating the outer surface of the vug.

Dims: 4.8 x 3.3 x 2.7" (12.2 x 8.4 x 6.9 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 4.5 oz. (1.034 kg)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This rather massive hand specimen consists of part of a Celestite vug that is lined with many crystals. These crystals are rather heavily intergrown and show considerable damage and breakage. The largest of these crystals is partly obscured by other crystals and host rock- it has visible dimensions of 1.1 x 1.0 x 0.6" (2.8 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm). Where intact, all have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces. All have a moderately dark gray-blue color and bright pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are dimly transparent, containing many cloudy inclusions and a few internal fractures. The vug in which they rest is coated on its outer surfaces by a layer of dull, chalky pale brown host rock.

Dims: 4.0 x 2.7 x 2.6" (10.2 x 6.9 x 6.6 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 6.7 oz. (693 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Scores of Celestite prisms create a crust that partly coats the host rock of this specimen. These crystals are in moderately good condition, as many are obviously damaged and/or broken, and do not exceed 1.1" (2.8 cm) in length. Their orthorhombic prismatic form is excellent, however, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster. They all have the standard moderately pale gray-blue coloration, and all are transparent but dimly clear due to the presence of many cloudy inclusions and occasional internal fractures. The host rock which they coat is made up of a chalky, dull, pale brown material that contains many small crystals or particles of Celestite.

Dims: 3.9 x 2.1 x 1.6" (9.9 x 5.3 x 4.1 cm)

Wt: 12.6 oz. (357 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Several dozen Celestite crystals are heavily intergrwon on this specimen. Most of these are damaged or broken, but those that are intact reach lengths of nearly 1" (2.5 cm). Where intact, they have excellent orthrhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly-to-vitreous luster. All have the standard pale gray-blue coloration and are generally transparent and quite clear. A small amount of a chalky, pale brown host rock is present.

Dims: 2.6 x 2.2 x 1.8" (6.6 x 5.6 x 4.6 cm)

Wt: 5.6 oz. (160 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

Dozens of tiny, heavily intergrown Celestites make up the bulk of this small specimen. These crystals reach a maximum length of 1.0 x 0.3 x 0.2" (2.5 x 0.7 x 0.5 cm), and most are less than half that size. There is substantial damage to the cluster, but a surprisingly large number of crystals are intact and in excellent condition. They have a rather long and thin orthrorhombic prismatic form made up of well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright, vitreous luster. Their gray-blue color is so pale as to be essentially colorless, and all are transparent and quite clear. The sparse, chalky, pale brown host rock is standard for specimens from this locality.

Dims: 4.0 x 3.8 x 2.9" (10.2 x 9.7 x 7.4 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 14.1 oz. (852 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This hand specimen contains scores of intergrown Celestite crystals. These crystals reach dimensions of 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.8" (3 x 2 x 2 cm) and are generally in good condition, though many are damaged or broken. All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a vitreous luster. The larger crystals tend to be somewhat cloudy and have a slightly deeper gray-blue color than the smaller crystals, which tend to be much clearer. Though there is a substantial amount of the pale brown, chalky host rock present, it makes up only a small percentage of the mass of the piece.

Dims: 5.8 x 5.8 x 3.0" (14.7 x 14.7 x 7.6 cm)

Wt: 4 lbs., 11.4 oz. (2.153 kg)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This large cabinet specimen consists of part of a geode which is lined with hundreds of Celestite crystals. These crystals are generally in very good condition, as a small number are damaged or broken, and do not exceed 0.8" (2 cm) in length. All have excellent orthorhombic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces. They possess the standard pale gray-blue coloration and pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are generally transparent and very clear. Only a small amount of the chalky, pale brown host rock coats its outer surface.

Dims: 3.7 x 2.2 x 2.0" (9.4 x 5.6 x 5.0 cm)

Wt: 7.64 oz. (216.6 g)

Girgenti, Sicily, Italy

At least 30 Celestite prisms make up the bulk of this hand specimen. Several of these crystals are so intergrown as to form single entities, and the largest of these has dimensions of 1.3 x 1.1 x 0.8" (3.3 x 2.8 x 2.0 cm). All are in excellent condition and have excellent orthorhombic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly luster. All are colored a bright white and are translucent, though some tiny crystals are transparent and quite clear. They rest on a base that is made up of their own intergrown bases and some massive sulfur that has filled in the gaps.

Dims: 3.4 x 1.8 x 1.7" (8.5 x 4.5 x 4.4 cm)

Wt: 4.30 oz. (122.1 g)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This small hand specimen consists of a cluster of elongated Celestite crystals that rests on a chalky, pale-brown base rock. These crystals are generally in good condition and reach dimensions of 0.7 x 0.2 x 0.1" (1.8 x 0.4 x 0.2 cm), so they tend to be longer for their diameter than most from this locality. All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, and many terminate in slightly blunted points. All have a very pale gray-blue color and a bright pearly luster, and are transparent and moderately clear.

Dims: 3.9 x 3.1 x 1.8" (9.9 x 7.9 x 4.7 cm)

Wt: 7.3 oz. (207 g)

Meckley's Quarry, Mandata, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Several small Celestite clusters and isolated prisms rest in a hollow in the shale base of this cabinet specimen. The crystals are in very good condition- a few show light damage- and reach lengths of 0.2" (5 mm). All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form with nearly flat, basal terminations and show the classic gray-blue coloration and pearly luster. Though they are dimly transparent, their clarity is spoiled by many inclusions and internal fractures. The Celestites rest on a sparkling druse of tiny calcite crystals that lines the hollow.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.4 x 2.3" (8.0 x 6.1 x 5.7 cm)

Wt: 6.3 oz. (178 g)

Meckley's Quarry, Mandata, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

This cabinet specimen consists of scores of Celestite prisms that rest in calcite-lined hollows in a shale host rock. These crystals reach lengths of nearly 0.4" (9 mm) and are generally in excellent condition due to the protective nature of their surroundings. All have excellent orthorhombic prismatic form that is capped by a basal pinacoid and the standard pale blue-gray color and pearly luster. All are translucent and cloudy. The calcite crusts on which they rest are each made up of hundreds of tiny crystals.

Dims: 7.3 x 5.2 x 2.9" (18.5 x 13.2 x 7.4 cm)

Wt: 5.5 lbs. (2.5 Kg)

Lei Yang, Hunan Province, China

This specimen, called a chrysanthemum stone by some, contains several "chrysanthemums", which are actually clusters of radiating Celestite prisms. Because they have been enveloped in a host rock, one can only study the surfaces of these clusters where they have been sawn open to exposure. The crystals do appear to be in excellent condition, however, and appear to have good orthorhombic form. All are white and opaque- their glossy luster is caused by a lacquer that coats the entire specimen and the included wood base.

Dims: 7.3 x 6.1 x 5" ( 18.5 x 15.5 x 12.7 cm)

Wt: 8 lb 10 oz. ( 3.9 kg)

Malagasy Republic, Madagascar

This splendid display specimen consists of a wedge-shaped section of a Celestite vug or geode. The crystals that line the concave surface of this piece are generally in good condition- several are noticeably damaged or broken. One is considerably larger than the rest and has dimensions of about 1.4 x 1.2 x 1.1:" (3.6 x 3.1 x 2.8 cm). Like the others, it has excellent orthorhombic form and occurs in the habit of thick, semi-bladed prisms with edged terminations. All have the classic gray-blue color and vitreous luster of their specie and are generally transparent and clear, though the larger crystals contain some internal fractures and cloudy inclusions.

Dims:7.8x5.7x3.7" (19.8x14.5x9.4 cm)

Wt: 100.0oz. (2.8kg)

Madagascar

This is a large specimen of celestite. It exhibits the beautiful blue color famous for this local, and many of the crystals are near gem-quality. Crystals range in size from tiny to 1.0" (2.5cm) in length. There is some damage to the top front of this specimen, but overall, the effect is very minor. This specimen ranks high in terms of quality.

Dims: 7.1x3.2x0.9" (18.1x8.1x2.7 cm)

Wt: 16.3 oz. (463g)

Portage, Ohio, USA

This is one of the largest celestite crystals that I have ever seen, although it must have been even larger at one time - one end has been cleaved off, leaving a crystal fragment that is merely 7" x 2.1" x 0.6". This huge crystal is blue and transparent in areas, although its clarity is obscured through most of the crystal by a milky white inclusion, which takes the form of a large arrow. The crystal is also criss-crossed by a network of cleavage planes, which add a colorful sparkle when the light hits them right. The back of the specimen is covered with thousands of small crystals which look like more celestite to me. There is also a bit of host rock attached, which itself contains many more small celestite crystals. In addition to the cleaved end, there is some minor damage to some of the edges on the good termination. Even with the damage and milky inclusions, this is an impressive crystal of celestite.

Dims: 3.3x1.8x1.3" (8.4x4.7x3.3 cm)

Wt: 3.3 oz. (94g)

Maybee, Michigan, USA

This hand specimen of celestite features what I believe to be a single curved crystal which reminds me of a Faden quartz crystal. This crystal has the proper celestial blue color and its transparency is marred by many cleavage planes which lend a milky appearance to the crystal. The large curved crystal (or curved assemblage of tabular crystals) rests on a druze of sparkly gray calcite.

Dims: 7.6x5.5x3.3" (19.4x14.1x8.4cm)

Wt: 5.75 lbs (2.6kg)

Monroe County, Michigan, USA

This is a beautiful and unusual celestite specimen. While its color is the traditional celestial blue, the crystals look very different from the common Madagascar celestite, being translucent and tabular with "gable roof" terminations, and having a silky luster. Many of these crystals are 4 to 5 cm in length. The host rock is a dirty limestone, whose cracks and crevices are mostly filled with more celestite.

Dims: 2.2x1.6x1.5" (5.5x4.0x3.9cm)

Wt: 2.78 oz. (78.8g)

Monroe County, Michigan, USA

This is a somewhat unusual celestite crystal. It is sky-blue in color, and translucent due both to milky-white inclusions and a pitted and dull surface. The crystal is long, slightly curved, and has a roof-like termination. It is accompanied by dozens of small transparent rhombohedral calcite crystals.

Dims: 6.56x4.21x3.05" (16.65x10.70x7.74cm)

Wt: 35.5oz (1005g)

Monroe County, Michigan, USA

This is an interesting specimen of celestite. It has a "celestial blue" color, but the crystals are translucent (not the usual transparent one sees in Madagascar specimens), and they are oddly shaped, as well, being rather flat and stubby. The crystals have curved (barrel) terminations. They also have a very interesting surface texture, looking like thousands of individual crystals laying side-by-side, yet still showing a vitreous luster. Along the sides of the specimen, you can see that there is a bottom layer of celestite which is nearly transparent and a deeper blue in color.

Dims: 5.83x4.71x2.89" (14.80x11.96x7.33cm)

Wt: 72.79oz (2060g)

Monroe County, Michigan, USA

This is a large chunk of siltstone which contains a cavity lined with celestite crystals. The crystals are transparent and a pretty "celestial" blue, generally having a diamond shaped cross-section and roof terminations, with many of the smaller crystals showing different shapes.

Dims: 1.70x1.22x1.13" (4.32x3.11x2.88cm)

Wt: 0.96oz (27.2g)

Sakoany, Majunga, Madagascar

This small celestite specimen is a cluster of long prismatic crystals, many of which are doubly terminated. They are pale blue, with rhombohedral cross sections, and they taper towards the tips. They are also quite clear, although growth lines distort the crystal faces.

Dims: 1.40x1.18x0.85" (3.55x3.00x2.16cm)

Wt: 1.48oz (42.0g)

Monroe County, Michigan, USA

This specimen is predominantly a single tabular crystal of celestite. It has flat faces, slightly curved and tappered sides, and a roof termination. It is pale blue and translucent. The celestite is accompanied by dozens of calcite crystals, which likely predated the celestite, as it appears to have grown over them.

Dims: 2.69x2.41x1.33" (6.83x6.13x3.38cm)

Wt: 2.80oz (79.4g)

Vodino, Samara, Russia

I wish I could say that this was a classic celestite and sulfur specimen, with the celestial blue contrasting nicely with bright yellow, but unfortunately the celestite crystals are on one side, and the sulfur mostly on the other. The celestite crystals have nice shapes (and tow almost radial clusters), but they appear slightly milky due to a myriad of internal fractures, plus their surfaces have a fine pitting and the pits contain a light dusting of some mineral yielding a slightly dirty, dull appearance. On the reverse side, the sulfur crystals do not have good form, although they are transparent (but with a pitted surface texture).

Dims: 6.02x3.99x2.93in (15.28x10.15x7.45cm)

Wt: 59.72oz (1693g)

Madagascar

The lovely blue celestite crystals in this specimen are mostly long, narrow rhombohedrons that gradually taper to a point. The thickest crystal cleaved off (undoubtedly when it was removed from the host rock) at a weak spot caused by another intergrown celestite crystal.

dims mm=74.5x64.2x42.9

wt g=201

Meckleys Quarry, NOrthumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA

Two dozen intergrown crystals of blue celestite are nestled in a cavity lined with a druze of colorless calcite crystals. Some of the celestite is nearly perfect rhombohedral crystals, and all of it has a pretty and appealing surface texture.