Information about Caledonite

Caledonite is a visually striking mineral known for its intense sky-blue to deep blue colour.

It typically forms prismatic to tabular crystals, often in radiating clusters or scattered aggregates. Crystals can be well-formed, sometimes with a glassy or slightly silky surface.

Caledonite often occurs alongside other secondary lead and copper minerals such as linarite, anglesite, and cerussite in the oxidised zones of lead-copper deposits.

Uses and History

Due to its rarity and softness, caledonite has no commercial or industrial use. However, it is highly prized by mineral collectors for its beautiful colour and well-formed crystals.

Named in 1832 after Caledonia, an ancient name for Scotland.

Its type locality is Leadhills, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Contains lead and copper.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/min-865.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonite
• https://webmineral.com/data/Caledonite.shtml
• https://museum.wales/mineralogy-of-wales/database/?mineral=164&name=Caledonite