Celestite - Geology - Glen Evans Exhibit - Texas Natural Science Center

Celestite (strontium sulphate) was investigated as a source for strontium compounds which were used in fireworks, fuses, flares because of its ability to burn with a bright red flame. It was also used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and in rotary drilling muds.

Specimen: BEG 31384 Mineral: Celestite Collected by Glen Evans Locality: Brown County, Texas Glen Rose Formation

The image above shows the entire specimen, which is about 10 inches in width. The image to the right is an enlargement of the crystals on the left side of the specimen.
This is a fibrous version of the same mineral, Celestite (strontium sulphate). Specimen is about 4 inches tall. Specimen: BEG 31335 Mineral: Celestite Collected by Glen Evans Locality: Brown County, Texas Glen Rose Formation
The map is from "Celestite deposits in Texas", by Glen L. Evans, in Texas Mineral Resources, University of Texas Publication No.4301, 1946, page 125. Specimens collected by Glen Evans and illustrated on this page came from site #17 (BEG 31335), and site #4 (BEG 31384)

Much field work was required before the distribution of this mineral could be adequately mapped. Careful field notes and reports are needed.

We illustrate an extract from typical 'report' from a geologist (Richmond Bronaugh) working in the field , keeping Glen Evans up-to-date. The site recorded here is #26 on the map above.

Original letter from:

UTBEG archives,
Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

"April 19, 1942

Dear Glen,

..............To reach Duke Douglas' we go 1.3 miles toward Brownwood from Blanket on the pavement. Then we turn south and follow the main road (past Lindsey Thomas' dinosaur locality) 5.8 miles to the corner where you threw the hammer at the rabbit. From this corner we go east (past the sorry stuff you found in the ditch...the farthest south we ever found it) 1.6 miles to Duke Douglas' gate which is on the north side of the road. We go through this gate north past Duke's house .4 mile to wire gap opening into pasture. Go into pasture and follow dim pasture road .5 miles north across Blanket Creek and stop with field to your left and Blanket Creek on your right. Walk across Blanket Creek (going east) and climb bluff which faces creek. The celestite occurs about 40 or 50 feet above the creek bed. The celestite is crystalline and varies from 1" to 6" thick, with 2" being apparent average. It is 22 feet from the celestite to the top of the bluff. Above celestite are alternating beds of shale and sandstone...."