mineral
Desert Rose
Gypsum variety selenite (CaSO4 · 2H2O)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 2, white to tan color, pearly to vitreous luster, forming a rosette crystal habit with embedded sand grains.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Desert Rose in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 2, white to tan color, pearly to vitreous luster, forming a rosette crystal habit with embedded sand grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed in arid, sandy desert basins through the evaporation of shallow, sulfate-rich salt pans and groundwater percolation.
Uses & applications
Popular mineral specimen for collectors, home decor, and educational displays.
Geological facts
Also known as sand rose or gypsum rose, these clusters form when water evaporates quickly in desert environments.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive rose-like flower clusters of flat crystal plates; found worldwide in arid regions like the Sahara and southwestern US.
