mineral
Desert Rose
Gypsum / Barite rosette (CaSO4·2H2O)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 2; color ranges from tan, brown, to reddish; pearly to vitreous luster; monoclinic crystal system forming rosette cluster habits.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 2; color ranges from tan, brown, to reddish; pearly to vitreous luster; monoclinic crystal system forming rosette cluster habits.
Formation & geological history
Formed in arid, sandy desert conditions through the evaporation of shallow, mineral-rich salt basins over thousands to millions of years.
Uses & applications
Primarily collected as a decorative display specimen, used in mineral collections, and occasionally utilized in lapidary arts.
Geological facts
Desert roses trap sand grains within their crystal structures as they grow, giving them a gritty texture. They are official state minerals in Oklahoma.
Field identification & locations
Identify by characteristic petal-like crystal clusters and softness. Found globally in deserts including the Sahara and US Southwest.
