mineral
Desert Rose (Gypsum)
Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate) - CaSO4·2H2O
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 1.5 - 2 (Mohs), Color: White, tan, or sandy brown, Luster: Pearly to dull/earthy, Crystal structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Good in one direction but obscured by rosette habit, Specific Gravity: 2.3
- Hardness
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Physical properties
Hardness: 1.5 - 2 (Mohs), Color: White, tan, or sandy brown, Luster: Pearly to dull/earthy, Crystal structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Good in one direction but obscured by rosette habit, Specific Gravity: 2.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in arid, sandy environments through the evaporation of sulfate-rich groundwater. The crystals grow in a radial pattern around sand grains in dry lake beds or desert basins.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative collector's specimen and in metaphysical practices. Raw gypsum is used industrially for drywall, plaster, and fertilizer.
Geological facts
Desert roses are not made of sand, but consist of flat crystal blades that have trapped sand particles during growth. Some specimens can reach sizes of several feet in diameter.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive rosette shape and soft, bladed crystals that can often be scratched with a fingernail. Common in the Sahara Desert, Mexico, and the southwestern United States.
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