Celestine is a sky blue mineral that is structurally and often physically similar to Barite.
Keyword:
1791
Keyword:
strontium
Keyword:
flame test
Keyword:
fireworks
IUPAC name:
Strontium sulfate
Layman's explanation:
Pure celestine is colorless however it is rarely found is this form, and due to impurities, is most often sky blue in color. It was first discovered in Sicily Italy around 1781, and given its name in 1791 from the Latin word coelestis meaning heavenly, in reference to its color. Celestine, or celestite, has the same structure as Barite, BaSO4, and is often mistaken for one another. A simple flame test will reveal the identity: if the sample contains strontium, i.e. celestite, the flame will turn red, and if the sample contains barium, i.e. barite, the flame will turn green. Due to its strontium source, Celestine is used in fireworks and road flares, and also in the making of household varnishes and ceramics.
Citation of a publication:
Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, Geologiya; Simonov, M A, Troyanov, S I
Lab name:
Common molecules
Sample provider:
Obtained from the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database
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