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Strontianite is one of the few important minerals containing the element strontium, and, along with Celestine, is its principal ore. Strontianite was named in 1791 after its initial discovery in Strontian, Argyllshire, Scotland. The element strontium, which was undescribed prior to this occurrence, was subsequently named after this mineral and its locality. |
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Chemical Formula |
SrCO3 |
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Composition |
Strontium carbonate, often with some calcium, and sometimes with some barium |
| Variable Formula |
(Sr,Ca,Ba)CO3 |
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Color |
Colorless, white, grayish-white, light yellow, light pink, light orange, and light brown. Occasionally dark yellow and reddish-brown. May also have color zoning with pink and white colors in a single crystal. |
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Streak |
White |
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Hardness |
3.5 - 4 |
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Crystal System |
Orthorhombic |
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Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
As dense, fragile, fibrous veins or in massive form, containing microscopic needles or plates. Also in globular balls with small visible crystal spikeheads. May also form as radiating, fibrous, grainy, and columnar. Other habits include bundles of long, curved crystals, and thin, long, sharply pointed needles. Rarely in pseudohexagonal trillings and singular prismatic or tabular crystals. |
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Transparency |
Transparent to translucent |
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Specific Gravity |
3.7 |
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Luster |
Vitreous. Greasy on cleaved surfaces. |
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Cleavage |
1,1 - prismatic ; 3,1 - basal |
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Fracture |
Uneven |
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Tenacity |
Brittle |
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Other ID Marks |
Often fluoresces blue or bluish-white in shortwave ultraviolet light.
May also thermoluminesce. |
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Complex Tests |
Weakly effervescent in hydrochloric acid |
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In Group |
Carbonates; Aragonite group |
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Striking Features |
Interesting crystal habits, weight, and hardness |
| Environment |
In low temperature sedimentary limestone deposits, sometimes also in weathered basalt and Serpentine rocks. |
| Rock Type |
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic |
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Popularity (1-4)
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3 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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3 |
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Demand (1-3) |
2 |
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Strontianite is an important ore of strontium, and is used in sugar refining and in the production of fireworks.
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One of the world's best Strontianite localities is Oberdorf an der Laming, Styria, Austria, which has produced large, sharp, and beautifully colored crystals of this mineral. Excellent Strontianite specimens have come from Westphalia, Germany at the Dreislar Mine, Winterberg; and the Phoenix quarry, Beckum, where large veins of this mineral contain pockets of fine crystals. A famous locality, from which the name Strontianite is derived, is Strontian, Argyllshire, Scotland. Other European localities are the Ratum quarry, Vosseveld, Netherlands; the Cavradi Gorge, Grischun, Switzerland; and Piagnolo, Campegli, and Casazzascany, Italy.In the U.S., arguably the best Strontianite locality is the Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois. Another excellent occurrence is Lime City Quarry, Lime City, Wood Co., Ohio. Pennsylvania contains several important limestone quarries where this mineral is found, specifically the Meckley Quarry, Mandata, Union Co.; Winfield, Union Co., Pennsylvania; and Lime Ridge, Mt. Pleasant Mills, Snyder Co. Other Strontianite localities include Schoharie, Schoharie Co., New York; the Holston River Quarry, Dublin, Pulaski Co., Virginia; the Strontium hills near Barstow, San Bernardino Co., California; and the Alverson Mine, Lake Conner, Skagit Co., Washington.
In Canada, Strontianite comes from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec; and the Lafarge Quarry, Dundas, Ontario.
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Calcite - Lighter in weight, usually forms in different crystal aggregates.
Aragonite - Lighter in weight.
Cerussite and Witherite - Heavier.
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