RocksdayBarite vs Celestine
How to tell them apart
Barium sulfate — a pale mineral that is surprisingly heavy. Sand-filled rosettes from Oklahoma are known as rose rocks.
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Strontium sulfate, best known for pale sky-blue crystals filling geodes from Madagascar.
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Key differences
- Celestine is lighter, typically pale blue and colors a flame crimson.
- Barite is heavier and tints flame pale green.
Side by side
| Property | Barite | Celestine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 3–3.5 | 3–3.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | White, Clear, Blue, Yellow, Brown | Blue, White, Clear |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | Orthorhombic |
| Specific gravity | 4.3–4.5 | 3.95–3.97 |
| Formula | BaSO₄ | SrSO₄ |
| Found in | Norman, Oklahoma; Morocco | Sakoany, Madagascar; Put-in-Bay, Ohio |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify barite
- Unusually heavy for a light-colored mineral.
- Tabular, bladed crystals.
- Hardness about 3 — a knife scratches it.
- Doesn't fizz in acid.
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Full Barite guide →How to identify celestine
- Pale sky blue, sometimes white.
- Bladed or tabular crystals.
- Heavy for a pale mineral.
- Turns a flame crimson red.
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Full Celestine guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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