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Chemical Formula | BaAl2Si2O8 |
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Composition | Barium aluminum silicate, sometimes with some calcium and potassium. Celsian forms a solid solution series with Orthoclase, and the intermediary member is Hyalophane. |
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Variable Formula | (Ba,Ca,K)Al2Si2O8 |
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Color | Colorless, white, light yellow, brown, reddish, gray |
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Streak | White |
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Hardness | ½ - |
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Monoclinic) Occurs as short tabular crystals and as long, slender prisms. Also occurs acicular and massive. |
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Transparency | |
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Specific Gravity | 3.1 - 3.4 |
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Luster | Vitreous to greasy |
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Cleavage | 2,1 - basal ; 2,1 - prismatic ; 3,1 -
pinacoidal The cleavage angle is about 90º |
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Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
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Tenacity | Brittle |
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Varieties |  Calciocelsian - Calcium
rich variety of Celsian Kasoite
- Potassium rich variety of Celsian (found in the Kaso
Mine, Japan) |
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Polymorphs | Paracelsian - orthorhombic form of Celsian |
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In Group | Silicates ; Tectosilicates ; Feldspar group |
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Striking Features | Heaviness, hardness, and crystal forms |
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Complex Tests | Soluble in hydrochloric acid |
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Popularity (1-4) | 3 |
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Prevalence (1-3) | 3 |
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Demand (1-3) | 3 |
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Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
Other Feldspars - considerably lighter in weight |
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Commonly Occurs With |
Quartz, Barite, Aragonite, Plagioclase Feldspars |
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Noteworthy Localities |
Localities for this rare mineral are: Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia; Otjosondu, Namibia; the Kaso Mine, Japan; Jakobsberg, Sweden; Candoglia, Piedmont, Italy; the Benallt Mine, Caernarvonshite, Wales; and Binntal, Switzerland. |
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