Comparison · Minerals
Aragonite vs Celestine
Aragonite and Celestine are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 3.5–4, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Aragonite and Celestine
- Both sit near Mohs 3.5–4, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Celestine feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.95–3.97 versus 2.93–2.95 for Aragonite).
- They overlap in clear, gray, and blue, but Aragonite also comes in yellow and pink and Celestine also comes in green and orange.
Aragonite vs Celestine properties
| Property | Aragonite | Celestine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4 | 3–3.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.93–2.95 | 3.95–3.97 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Yellow, Gray, Blue, Pink | Colorless, Pale blue, White, Gray, Light green, Orange (rare) |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Aragonite and Celestine trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Aragonite
Aragonite is calcium carbonate, CaCO3, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system as a metastable polymorph of the more common mineral calcite. It readily forms in low-temperature settings such as caves, hot springs, and the shells of many marine organisms, and it slowly converts to calcite over geologic time. Twinned crystal clusters resembling six-rayed stars are among its most recognizable forms.
About Celestine
Celestine, also spelled celestite, is strontium sulfate, SrSO4, and the primary ore of strontium, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system. It is best known for growing in delicate pale blue, tabular crystals, a color that gave the mineral its name from the Latin caelestis, meaning heavenly. Celestine often forms alongside gypsum and calcite in sedimentary evaporite settings, distinguishing it from most other sulfate minerals of hydrothermal origin.
Aragonite vs Celestine FAQ
Is Aragonite the same as Celestine?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 3.5–4, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Aragonite from Celestine?
Both sit near Mohs 3.5–4, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Celestine feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.95–3.97 versus 2.93–2.95 for Aragonite). They overlap in clear, gray, and blue, but Aragonite also comes in yellow and pink and Celestine also comes in green and orange.
Which is harder, Aragonite or Celestine?
Aragonite is harder: Mohs 3.5–4 against Mohs 3–3.5 for Celestine.
Which is more valuable, Aragonite or Celestine?
Typical specimens of Aragonite and Celestine trade in a similar range, around $20.
