mineral

Desert Rose

Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) or Baryte (BaSO4) rosette

Hardness: 2 on Mohs scale (Gypsum) or 3-3.5 (Baryte). Color: Tan, beige, or sandy brown. Luster: Pearly to dull. Crystal structure: Monoclinic or Orthorhombic blades. Cleavage: Perfect in one direction.

Hardness: 2 on Mohs scale (Gypsum) or 3-3
Color: Tan, beige, or sandy brown
Luster: Pearly to dull

Identified March 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in arid, sandy environments through the evaporation of salt-rich water. As the water evaporates, minerals crystallize in circular, bladed patterns that incorporate surrounding sand grains. They can form over several hundred to thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Primary use is as a collector's specimen or decorative item. In technical forms, gypsum is used in plaster, drywall, and fertilizer, while baryte is used in drilling fluids.

Geological facts

Desert roses are unique because they are technically pseudomorphs or crystal clusters that trap sand inside them, making them look like petrified flowers. Saharan specimens from Algeria and Tunisia are particularly famous.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive rose-like cluster of flat blades and sandy texture. It is often found in desert regions with high evaporation rates such as Chihuahua (Mexico), the Sahara, or the Southwestern United States.

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