Comparison · Minerals vs Phosphate Minerals
Celestine vs Vivianite
Celestine and Vivianite are easy to confuse. Celestine is harder (Mohs 3–3.5) than Vivianite (Mohs 1.75), so Celestine will scratch Vivianite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Celestine and Vivianite
- Celestine is harder (Mohs 3–3.5) than Vivianite (Mohs 1.75), so Celestine will scratch Vivianite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily.
- Streak color differs: Celestine leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Vivianite leaves bluish white.
- Celestine feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.95–3.97 versus 2.68 for Vivianite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Celestine is Transparent to translucent, Vivianite is translucent.
- They overlap in clear, blue, and green, but Celestine also comes in gray and orange.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Celestine is Orthorhombic, Vivianite is monoclinic.
Celestine vs Vivianite properties
| Property | Celestine | Vivianite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Phosphate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3–3.5 | 1.75 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage | vitreous |
| Streak | White | Bluish white |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.95–3.97 | 2.68 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | monoclinic |
| Common colors | Colorless, Pale blue, White, Gray, Light green, Orange (rare) | Blue, Green, Colorless |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $10–$400+ |
Which is more valuable?
Vivianite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $60 against $20 for Celestine, and premium Vivianite can reach $400 or more.
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.
About Vivianite
Vivianite is a hydrated iron phosphate that is colorless when fresh but oxidizes to deep blue and green. It forms bladed, prismatic, or fibrous crystals and earthy masses, and is a favorite of collectors for its rich color.
Celestine vs Vivianite FAQ
Is Celestine the same as Vivianite?
No. Celestine is a mineral while Vivianite is a phosphate mineral. Celestine is harder (Mohs 3–3.5) than Vivianite (Mohs 1.75), so Celestine will scratch Vivianite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily.
How can you tell Celestine from Vivianite?
Celestine is harder (Mohs 3–3.5) than Vivianite (Mohs 1.75), so Celestine will scratch Vivianite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Streak color differs: Celestine leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Vivianite leaves bluish white. Celestine feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.95–3.97 versus 2.68 for Vivianite).
Which is harder, Celestine or Vivianite?
Celestine is harder: Mohs 3–3.5 against Mohs 1.75 for Vivianite.
Which is more valuable, Celestine or Vivianite?
Vivianite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $60 against $20 for Celestine, and premium Vivianite can reach $400 or more.
