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Formula: Ba(Al2Si2O8)
Tectosilicate (framework silicate), feldspar group,
paramorph of paracelsian
and hexacelsian
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.10 to 3.39 measured, 3.26 calculated
Hardness: 6 to 6½
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless, white, yellow
Common impurities: Fe,Mg,Ca,Na,K,F
Environments
Celsian occurs in amphibolite grade metamorphic rocks
rich in manganese and barium (Dana).
It is associated with manganese-rich aegirine and
biotite, paracelsian,
jacobsite, hausmannite,
rhodochrosite, rhodonite,
rutile, hyalophane,
baryte, cymrite,
taramellite, quartz,
zoisite, spessartine,
dolomite and muscovite
(HOM).
Localities
At Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, celsian has been described from lenses and streaks in acid
gneiss associated with plagioclase
(DHZ 4 p177).
At the Benallt manganese mine at Rhiw, Wales, UK, celsian and
paracelsian
occur in a band in shale and
sandstone associated with beds of manganese ore
(DHZ 4 p177).
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