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Celsian

Big Photo

Benallt Mine (Tyddyn Meirion mine; Ty Canol mine), Rhiw, Llanfaelrhys, Lleyn Peninsula, Gwynedd (Caernarvonshire), Wales, UK
© Steve Rust

Show Celsian Photos (7)
Formula:
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white, yellow
Hardness:6 - 6½
Name:
After Anders Celsius (1701-1744), Swedish astronomer and naturalist.
Dimorph of:Paracelsian


Feldspar Group. Celsian-Hyalophane Series; Celsian-Orthoclase Series. The distinctly monoclinic (115.2°) dimorph of Paracelsian.
See also Barium-Nepheline.

Classification of Celsian

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.06-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.FA.30

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
A : Tektosilicates without additional non-tetrahedral anions
Dana 8th edition ID:76.1.1.4

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
1 : Al-Si Framework with Al-Si frameworks
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.12.4

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
12 : Aluminosilicates of Sr, Ba and Zn
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Type Occurrence of Celsian

Type Locality:Jakobsberg Mine, Nordmark, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
Year of Discovery:1895

Occurrences of Celsian

Geological Setting:Amphibolite regional or contact metamorphic rocks rich in barium

Physical Properties of Celsian

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, yellow
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}, good on {010}, poor on {110}
Density (measured):3.10 - 3.39 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.26 g/cm3

Crystallography of Celsian

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 8.622(4) Å, b = 13.078(6) Å, c = 14.411(8) Å
β = 115.2°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.659 : 1 : 1.102
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,470.31 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Short prismatic to acicular crystals, commonly massive
Twinning:Simple twins in accordance with the
Manebach, Baveno, or Carlsbad laws.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Celsian

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.580 - 1.584 nβ = 1.585 - 1.587 nγ = 1.594 - 1.596
2V:Measured: 86° to 90°, Calculated: 62° to 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.014

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Celsian

Formula:
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
Essential elements:Al, Ba, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ba, O, Si
Common Impurities:Fe,Mg,Ca,Na,K,F

Relationship of Celsian to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Hyalophane (see here)
Forms a series with Orthoclase (see here)
Member of Group:
Feldspar Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.FA.05Kaliophilite
K[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Kalsilite
K[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Nepheline
(Na,K)[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Panunzite
(Na,K)[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Trikalsilite
(Na,K)[AlSiO
 
4
]
9.FA.05Yoshiokaite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O
 
4
]
9.FA.05Megakalsilite
KAlSiO
 
4
9.FA.10Malinkoite
NaBSiO
 
4
9.FA.15Virgilite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
9.FA.25Lisitsynite
KBSi
 
2
O
 
6
9.FA.30Adularia
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.30Anorthoclase
(Na,K)[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Buddingtonite
(NH
 
4
)[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Hyalophane
(K,Ba)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Microcline
K[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Orthoclase
K[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Sanidine
K[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Rubicline
(Rb,K)[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.30Monalbite
Na[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Albite
Na[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Andesine
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Anorthite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Bytownite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Labradorite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Oligoclase
(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.35Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
9.FA.40Paracelsian
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.45Svyatoslavite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.45Kumdykolite
NaAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.50Slawsonite
(Sr,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
9.FA.55Lisetite
CaNa
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
9.FA.60Banalsite
BaNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
9.FA.60Stronalsite
SrNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
9.FA.65Danburite
CaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.65Maleevite
BaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.65Pekovite
SrB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
9.FA.70Lingunite
(Na,Ca)AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
9.FA.75Kokchetavite
KAlSi
 
3
O
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.12.1Stronalsite
SrNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
16.12.2Slawsonite
(Sr,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.12.3Brewsterite
16.12.5Paracelsian
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.12.6Cymrite
BaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
(O,OH)
 
8
·H
 
2
O
16.12.7Edingtonite
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
] · 4H
 
2
O
16.12.8Banalsite
BaNa
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
 
2
16.12.9Harmotome
(Ba
 
0.5
,Ca
 
0.5
,K,Na)
 
5
[Al
 
5
Si
 
11
O
 
32
] ·12H
 
2
O
16.12.10Hyalophane
(K,Ba)[Al(Si,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.12.11Balipholite
BaLiMg
 
2
Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
 
2
16.12.12Armenite
BaCa
 
2
Al
 
6
Si
 
9
O
 
30
·2H
 
2
O
16.12.13Wellsite
(Ba,Ca,K
 
2
)Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
·6H
 
2
O
16.12.14Merlinoite
(K,Na)
 
5
(Ca,Ba)
 
2
Al
 
9
Si
 
23
O
 
64
·23H
 
2
O
16.12.15Anandite
(Ba,K)(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
3
[(O,OH)
 
2
|(Si,Al,Fe)
 
4
O
 
10
]
16.12.16Fraipontite
(Zn,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
]
16.12.17Sauconite
Na
 
0.3
Zn
 
3
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
16.12.18Minehillite
(K,Na)
 
2-3
Ca
 
28
Zn
 
4
Al
 
4
Si
 
40
O
 
112
(OH)
 
16
16.12.19Hendricksite
K(Zn,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
16.12.20Baileychlore
(Zn,Fe,Al,Mg)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
8

Other Names for Celsian

Synonyms:
Barium-Anorthite (of Sjögren)
Other Languages:
Dutch:Celsiaan
German:Celsian
Italian:Celsiana
Portuguese:Celsiana
Russian:Цельзиан
Varieties:
Germanate-celsian

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Celsian

Reference List:Dana, E.S. (1899) Dana's system of mineralogy, (6th edition), appendix I, 15.

Spencer, L.J. (1942) Barium feldspars, (celsian and paracelsian) from Wales. Mineralogical Magazine, 26, 231-245.

Deer, W.A., R.A. Howie, and J. Zussman (1963) Rock-forming Minerals, vol. 4, framework silicates, 166-178.

Gay, P. (1965) An X-ray powder method for the estimation of (K,Ba) feldspars. Mineralogical Magazine, 34, 204-213.

Gay, Peter & N.N. Roy (1965), The mineralogy of the potassium-barium feldspar series: III. Subsolid relationships: Mineralogical Magazine: 36: 914-932.

Griffen, D.T. and P.H. Ribbe (1976) Refinement of the crystal structure of celsian. American Mineralogist, 61, 414-418.

Fortey, N.J. and B. Beddoe-Stephens (1982) Barium silicates in stratabound Ba-Zn mineralization in the Scottish Dalradian. Mineralogical Magazine, 46, 63-72.

Internet Links for Celsian

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Celsian

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Yancowinna Co.
    		No reference listed
    • Queensland
      • Mt Isa - Cloncurry area
        • Mount Isa district
          • Hilton deposits
    		Knights, J.G., 1985, Hilton Silver-Lead-Zinc-Copper Ore Mineralogy. unpublished
    • Tasmania
      • Rosebery district
        • Rosebery
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Revelstoke Mining Division
    		Am Min 90: 1655-1660
    • New Brunswick
      • Gloucester Township
        • Bathurst (Bathurst Mining Camp)
    		McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., Martin, J., and Diegor, W.G. (2009): Mineralium Deposita 44, 523-557.
    • Yukon Territory
      • Watson Lake Mining District
        • Macmillan Pass
    		Econ Geol (1985) 80:1257-1276
    Econ Geol (1989)84:841-856
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Moravia-Silesia Region
        • Rýmařov
    		Fojt, B. et al.: Paragenetická charakteristika ložisek Pb-Zn rud v širším okolí Horního Města u Rýmařova. Acta Mus. Moraviae, Sci. geol., 2007, 92, 3-57.
      • Olomouc Region
    		Souček, J., Jelínek, E.: Celsian v kvarcitu ze Zlatých Hor. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geologica, 1973, vol. 17, nos. 1-2, s. 97-109.
    Pauliš, P.: Die interessanten mineralogische Fundstellen in Mähren und Schlesien. Kutná Hora: Kuttna, 2001.
    Greece
     
    • Aegean Islands (Aiyaíon) Department
      • Kykládes Prefecture
        • Cyclade Islands (Cyclades; Kikladhes; Nomos Kikladhon)
          • Andros Island
    		Reinecke, T. (1982): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 79, 333-336.
    Italy
     
    • Lombardy
      • Varese Province
        • Ceresio Valley
    		No reference listed
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Baveno
          • Oltrefiume
            • Mount Camoscio
    		American Mineralogist, 84(5-6), 782-789
        • Mergozzo
          • Candoglia
    		De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
        • Ossola Valley
          • Divedro Valley
            • Trasquera
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d\'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo \"F. Eusebio\" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    • Sardinia
      • Carbonia-Iglesias Province
        • Fluminimaggiore
    		• Stara, P. Rizzo, R., Tanca, G., Vinci A. (1994): Su Zurfuru. 1° parte. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/1993, 215-236.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Niigata Prefecture
          • Itoigawa
    		www.city.itoigawa.niigata.jp/fmm/detail-menu2/min109-corundum/corundum.html (in matrix of corundum-bearing river cobbles)
      • Kanto Region
        • Tochigi Prefecture
          • Kanuma
    		No reference listed
        • Tokyo Prefecture
          • Nishi-Tama-gun
            • Okutama
    		[MinRec 32:419]
      • Kinki Region
        • Kyoto Prefecture
          • Kyoto City
    		Masutomi Museum specimen (Kyoto)
          • Sohraku-gun
    		Am Min 85:242-250
      • Tohoku Region
        • Iwate Prefecture
    		Am Min 85:242-250
    • Shikoku Island
      • Kochi Prefecture
        • Konan City
    		Handbook of Mineralogy, (c) 2001.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Almaty Oblysy (Almati Oblast')
      • Tekeli
    		Am Min 90:1163-1166
    Mexico
     
    • Baja California Norte
      • Tres Pozos
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 69, pages 358-373, 1984
    Namibia
     
    • Otjozondjupa Region
    		No reference listed
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    		[World of Stones 12:49]
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast'
          • Ekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk)
            • Sedel'nikovo
    		Brusnitsyn A.I. (2000) Rhodonite deposits of Middle Ural, - S.-Peterburg Univercity press, p. 200 (in Rus.).
    South Korea
     
    • Chungcheongbukdo (Chungchong-pukto)
      • Goesan-gun (Koesan-gun)
    		Gi Young Jeong (2006): Mineralium Deposita 41, 469-481.
    • Gyeonggi-do (Kyonggi-do)
    		Jeong, G. Y & Kim, Y. H. (1999): Goldmanite from the black slates of the Ogcheon belt, Korea. Mineralogical Magazine, 63, 253-256.
    Spain
     
    • Castile and Leon
    		Moro, M.C., Cembranos, M.L., and Fernandez, A. (2001): Canadian Mineralogist 39, 1039-1051.
    Sweden
     
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    		No reference listed
    • Södermanland
      • Nyköping
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark
    		GFF (1895) 17, 578
        • Pajsberg
    		Kjell Gatedal; Nysten, P. (2004): Harstigen ett mineralogisk eldorado i Bergslagen. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift 28: 5-13
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Brig
        • Simplon pass area
          • Ganter valley
            • Wasen Alp
    		Lapis 29(2), 37-40 (2004)
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Tayside (Perthshire)
        • Aberfeldy
    		No reference listed
    • Wales
      • Gwynedd (Caernarvonshire)
        • Lleyn Peninsula
          • Llanfaelrhys
            • Nant-y-Gadwen
    		Cotterell, T.F., 2006. Caryopilite and pyroxmangite from Nant Mine, Nant-y-Gadwen, Llanfaelrhys, Pen Llyn, Gwynedd, Wales UK Journal of Mines and Minerals, 27, 51-53.
            • Rhiw
    		Spencer, L.J. (1942) Barium feldspars, (celsian and paracelsian) from Wales. Mineralogical Magazine, 26, 231-245; BMS Collection.; UKJMM Vol.29 p.14
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Skagway-Yakutat-Angoon Borough
        • Admiralty Island
    		Cliff D. Taylor (April 2001) The Greens Creek massive sulfide deposit, southeastern Alaska. Denver Region Exploration Geologists\' Society abstracts
      • Southeast Fairbanks Borough
        • Fortymile District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225.
      • Yukon-Koyukuk Borough
        • Alaska Range
    		Amer. Mineral (1929) 14:319-322
    • Arizona
      • Yavapai Co.
    		Galbraith, F.W. & Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 48.
    • California
      • Fresno Co.
        • Big Creek
    		[MinRec 33:161]; American Mineralogist (1981), Volume 66, pages 1050-1053
        • Rush Creek
    		[MinRec 33:163]
      • Mariposa Co.
        • Incline
    		[MinRec 30:414]; American Mineralogist (1981), Volume 66, pages 1050-1053; Can.Min.22:653-658
      • Santa Cruz Co.
        • Santa Cruz
      • Tulare Co.
        • Chickencoop Canyon
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 69, pages 358-373, 1984
    • Nevada
      • Elko Co.
        • Corral Creek District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Lee District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Golconda District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Battle Mountain District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Franklin
    		Frondel, et al: Am. Min.:51:1388-1393 (1966); Frondel, C.: The minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill - a checklist (1972); Dunn(1995):Pt4:509.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 22nd Oct 2009 12:23:31