Celsian is a rare barium-rich feldspar mineral often found in contact metamorphosed limestones and manganese-rich deposits. It is best identified by its higher density compared to common potassium feldspars and its characteristic fluorescence under UV light. Collectors typically look for small tabular crystals associated with other calcium and barium-bearing skarn minerals.
Is this celsian?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch celsian with a known reference. Celsian sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crystalline, massive.
Often confused with
Celsian vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside celsian
Minerals reported to co-occur with celsian. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaAl₂Si₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 3.10-3.39 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline, massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, good on {010}, and poor on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In amphibolite-grade, regional or contact metamorphic, Mn, Ba-rich rocks, some of which probably were submarine exhalatives
Where rockhounds find celsian
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Big Creek, Fresno Co., and Trumbull Peak, near Incline, Mariposa Co., California, USA
- Jakobsberg and Långban, Värmland, Sweden
- Simplon region, Valais, Switzerland
- Benallt mine, Rhiw, Lleyn Peninsula, Wales
- Aberfeldy, Scotland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In amphibolite-grade, regional or contact metamorphic, Mn, Ba-rich rocks, some of which probably were submarine exhalatives. If you start seeing manganoan aegirine, manganoan biotite, paracelsian in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify celsian?+
Where is celsian found?+
What rocks look like celsian?+
What minerals are found with celsian?+
What kind of rock does celsian form in?+
What is celsian used for?+
Find celsian on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
