Comparison · Minerals
Calcite vs Celestine
Calcite and Celestine are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 3, 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 Calcite and Celestine
- Both sit near Mohs 3, 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 2.7 for Calcite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Celestine is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in clear, orange, blue, and green, but Calcite also comes in yellow and pink and Celestine also comes in gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Calcite is trigonal, Celestine is Orthorhombic.
Calcite vs Celestine properties
| Property | Calcite | Celestine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3 | 3–3.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 3.95–3.97 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green, Pink | Colorless, Pale blue, White, Gray, Light green, Orange (rare) |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$100+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Celestine is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Celestine can reach $150 or more.
About Calcite
Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth, found in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. It's the primary component of limestone and marble.
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.
Calcite vs Celestine FAQ
Is Calcite the same as Celestine?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 3, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Calcite from Celestine?
Both sit near Mohs 3, 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 2.7 for Calcite). Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Celestine is Transparent to translucent.
Which is harder, Calcite or Celestine?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 3.
Which is more valuable, Calcite or Celestine?
Celestine is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $20 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Celestine can reach $150 or more.
