Pikes Peak Pebble Pups and Earth Science Scholars: Celestine

Friday, October 18, 2013

Celestine

By Nathan Gallup

Haiku:

Gully of crystals

Created magically

It is so awesome

Some Quick Facts About Celestine:

Formula: SRSO₄ sometimes contains minor calcium and/or barium.

Crystal system: Orthorhombic

Color: colorless, white, pale blue, pink, pale green, pale brown and black

Crystal habit: tabular to pyramidal crystals

Mohs hardness scale: 3-3.5

Luster: vitreous, pearly

Streak: white

Notes: A celestine geode, over 35 feet wide, may be the largest geode in the world and was found on an island in Lake Erie. I got this celestine crystal at the first Pebble Pups meeting I attended. I belong to the Lake George Gem and Mineral Club in Colorado.

About the Author:

Nathan Gallup (age 9)

Third Grade, Columbine Elementary School

Woodland Park, CO

Welcome! This is the gateway to adventure and discovery

Through this blog pebble pups and junior members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society can access their lessons, work on assignments and projects, and receive details about field trips in the Pikes Peak Region. This Internet program is also suitable for young people who are interested in Earth science but do not live near a rock club or gem and mineral society or for young people anywhere who want a deeper dive into these topics. The only requirement is that all participants must be members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society and must fill out the CSMS membership form (under important websites) and send their registration and membership fee in. Steven Veatch is the senior instructor and will need an email from you with your name, address, phone number, and permission from your parents to participate in this program.