Facts About Gypsum
Gypsum, a mineral that occurs naturally, derives its name from a Greek word that means calcified mineral. There are different forms of gypsum that include Selenite and Alabaster. Selenite, with its pearlish surface, got its name from a Greek word meaning moon rock. Alabaster, a carvable form of gypsum, has been used for centuries for monuments.
Geography
Important commercially, gypsum is a widespread mineral, mined or quarried in massive beds. Maryland and Ohio have good crystals, as do Texas, California Michigan, New York State and Iowa, among United States locals. Kentucky has coves with rosettes of fibers that twist, creating what is known as gypsum flowers. Selenite crystals, often considered the most beautiful, are usually of foreign origin. Mexico, Australia and Nova Scotia are among the many localities that are gypsum producers.
Characteristics
Although normally white, gray or without color, gypsum also comes in different shades of yellow, red and even brown, sometimes even being florescent. Its thin crystals, while not elastic, are bendable but do not rebound back. It is a soft mineral that a fingernail can scratch. It has the unusual trait of being low in thermal conductivity, meaning it feels much warmer to the touch than a quartz crystal.
Types
There are three known types of gypsum, or calcium sulphate. Varieties include Selenite, Satin Spar and Alabaster. Selenite ranges from translucent to transparent and is the crystalline variety of gypsum. Satinspar, which comes in either a silky or a fibrous variety, is white in color unless there are impurities in it. Alabaster, the final variety, is massive, with a color range of pure to dull white unless contaminated by impurities.
Uses
The alabaster form of gypsum has been used ornamentally in carvings and monuments for centuries. Plaster of Paris comes from gypsum that has been heated to remove most of the water. Ground-up gypsum also is used in fertilizers, cements and as paint filler. In addition, Linda Chalker-Scott of Washington State University states that some soils, especially clay, can be improved with the addition of gypsum, which not only helps to reduce the amount of salt in the soil but also helps by replacing it with calcium, a nutrient that benefits crops.
Precautions
Non-toxic to animals as well as people, gypsum is safe to use in housing. It is used in drywall and the yard and garden, where it may be used to condition soil. It is usually a fine, granulated powder for yard use, so it is wise to wear a mask when using it, especially if you have lung problems.
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