Mohs 3.5
Vickers (~) 170 HV
Knoop (~) 185 HK
Geological setting
Hydrothermal
Element composition by mass
Formula: SrCO₃ · molar mass: 147.63 g/mol
| Sr | 59.35% | |
| O | 32.51% | |
| C | 8.14% |
Computed from atomic weights (IUPAC 2021). Site-occupancy groups (Fe,Mn) split equally.
Mohs Hardness
3.5
Strontianite sits at 3.5 on the Mohs scale — can be scratched by a steel knife.
Colors:
Streak
White
White
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Orthorhombic
CarbonatesCarbonates
TL;DR · 1 min read
Strontianite (SrCO₃) is strontium carbonate — the carbonate analog of celestite (SrSO₄). Discovered in 1790 in Strontian, Scotland (the type-locality), it gave both the mineral name and the element strontium their etymology.
Strontianite (SrCO₃) is strontium carbonate — the carbonate analog of celestite (SrSO₄). Discovered in 1790 in Strontian, Scotland (the type-locality), it gave both the mineral name and the element strontium their etymology. Strontianite forms in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, often in association with calcite and barite.