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Posted: Apr 05, 2022 09:30 Post subject: Re: Collection of Carles Millan: Celestine from Madagascar
Nice to see something new from you, Carles. A very good specimen of celestite, in my opinion an outstanding one. The Sakoany celestites often have not the best reputation among collectors, the same as with amethyst from Brazil or Uruguay or apophyllite from India: There's so much of it and only very few of them stand out. Your specimen definitely does stand out - even literally, when you look at the shape ;-)
Wonderful isolated crystal, damage-free, transparent, blue - and with an uncommon form. And the way it sits on the matrix, someone did a good job trimming this one!
A great addition to your collection and a perfect example for a common thing that is quite uncommon for it's great quality and aesthetics!
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1531
Location: Catalonia
Posted: Apr 05, 2022 13:10 Post subject: Re: Collection of Carles Millan
Tobi, you almost always write a full journalistic review of my posted specimens so I must be very grateful.
You are right, some mineral specimens, due to their abundance, are mostly undervalued. Brazilian amethysts and Indian zeolites for instance, as you say. Some people I've read about think Madagascar celestines are the best in the world, and I agree. But since hundreds of thousands are available on the market, their prices are very low. I chose this one because of its singularity.
Posted: Apr 07, 2022 14:33 Post subject: Re: Collection of Carles Millan: Celestine from Madagascar
Carles Millan wrote:
Celestine - SrSO4
Pale blue transparent crystals of celestine showing an uncommon habit for the species rarely found in this deposit. The crystals are elongated and tapered, with steep pyramidal faces that go to the upper vertex. No damage.
From Sakoany deposit, Katsepy, Mitsinjo, Boeny, Madagascar.
Overall size: 85 mm x 65 mm. Main crystal: 65 mm. Mass: 192 g.
A brief note from me (not an expert) on crystallography: the steep faces form a sharp pyramid with a rhombic section. I think the Miller index of such faces could be {410}, also present in some barite crystals.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos are copyright by Carles Millan. Reproduction allowed as long as the author's name is cited and the image not modified (if it is not too much to ask...). Creative Commons Attribution Licence - Some Rights Reserved.
It is a truly beautiful piece. In the periodic table of the chemical elements it lies between Gypsum and Barite.
Did you see the piece before it was trimmed? We have a few large (+20 cm) geodes of Celestine from Madagascar containing some very nice large crystals but I think it takes a lot of skill to trim a specimen to the quality of your piece.
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1531
Location: Catalonia
Posted: Apr 07, 2022 15:18 Post subject: Re: Collection of Carles Millan: Celestine from Madagascar
silvia wrote:
It is a truly beautiful piece. In the periodic table of the chemical elements it lies between Gypsum and Barite. Did you see the piece before it was trimmed? We have a few large (+20 cm) geodes of Celestine from Madagascar containing some very nice large crystals but I think it takes a lot of skill to trim a specimen to the quality of your piece.
Hello Silvia!
Thanks for your interesting comments.
Yes, strontium is chemically very close to calcium and barium. Their sulphates (anhydrite, celestine, and barite) share many properties, especially the orthorhombic crystal system.
No, I didn't see it before trimming.To obtain one from your specimens safely you need a lot of experience and some special tools as well. Otherwise, the chances of destroying them are very high. Be careful.
Good luck!
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1531
Location: Catalonia
Posted: Apr 16, 2022 06:06 Post subject: Collection of Carles Millan: Celestine from Madagascar
Celestine - SrSO4
Just one among hundreds of thousands of celestine specimens from Madagascar (low price but high quality).
A typical group of pale blue lustrous transparent celestine crystals showing the common orthorhombic habit for the species. No damage. From Sakoany deposit, Katsepy Commune, Mitsinjo District, Boeny Region, Mahajanga (Majunga) Province, Madagascar. Overall size: 67 mm x 49 mm. Main crystal: 32 mm. Mass: 168 g.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos are copyright by Carles Millan. Reproduction allowed as long as the author's name is cited and the image not modified (if it is not too much to ask...). Creative Commons Attribution Licence - Some Rights Reserved.
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1531
Location: Catalonia
Posted: May 01, 2022 05:56 Post subject: Collection of Carles Millan: Microcline from Colorado
Microcline - K(AlSi3O8), quartz - SiO2
Well balanced classic combination with lustrous microcline blue-green crystals aesthetically set among translucent smoky quartz crystals that add a nice color contrast to the specimen. Pristine, not damaged, unrepaired.
From Pikes Peak, El Paso County, Colorado, USA.
Overall size: 85 mm x 76 mm. Main microcline crystal: 22 mm. Main quartz crystal: 23 mm. Mass: 256 g.
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