mineral

Desert Rose

Baryte or Gypsum (Selenite) with Sand Inclusions (BaSO4 or CaSO4·2H2O)

Hardness: 2.0 (Gypsum) to 3.5 (Baryte). Color: Tan, brown, or sandy-red. Luster: Pearly to dull/earthy. Crystal structure: Orthorhombic or Monoclinic bladed clusters. Specific gravity: ~2.3 for Gypsum, ~4.5 for Baryte.

Hardness: 2
Color: Tan, brown, or sandy-red
Luster: Pearly to dull/earthy

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in arid, sandy environments through the evaporation of mineral-rich groundwater. As the water evaporates, crystals of baryte or gypsum grow in a rosette pattern, trapping sand grains within the crystal structure.

Uses & applications

Primarily collected as display specimens and used in metaphysical practices. Gypsum varieties can be used in plaster production if found in bulk, but desert roses are too sandy for industrial use.

Geological facts

The 'pedals' are actually bladed crystals that form around a central point. The most famous specimens come from the Sahara Desert and Oklahoma, where the reddish variety is the official state rock.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive rose-like or petal-shaped crystal clusters and gritty, sandy texture. Found in shallow pits or surface deposits in sandy deserts like the Sahara or Southwest USA.

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