Graphic rendering of a gypsum molecule.
Gypsum is one of the most widely found minerals in sediment. Moderately water-soluble, it appears in both rock and crystal form. There are commercial gypsum mining operations throughout the world, including East Asia, South America, North America and Europe. Gypsum is a notably soft compound, easily bent or scratched. In the modern world, most gypsum is used primarily for drywall, plaster, sheet rock and other construction necessities. Alabaster, selenite, satin spar, desert rose and gypsum rock are the commonly recognized forms of gypsum.
Alabaster
Elephant figurines carved from alabaster
Alabaster is probably the most well-known type of gypsum, distinguished by its milky white appearance. A popular material since ancient times, it occurs in large masses, many of which are concentrated in England. The lighter its hue, the more valuable a particular piece of alabaster is considered; in literature "alabaster" is often a synonym for "pale" or "pristine." This, combined with its fine grain, makes it ideal for use in ornamental objects. There are also rare instances of alabaster in black and other colors.
Selenite
Selenite is transparent and normally lacking in color, although the presence of other substances may occasionally lend it a matte brown or gray appearance. Like alabaster, it forms in masses and separates, or cleaves, from its original structure into smaller parts with relatively little effort, fracturing along long, thin planes.
Satin Spar
Satin spar is a mineral formation that occurs in both gypsum and calcite. In its gypsum formation, it is fibrous and translucent in appearance. Named for its refined luster, the silky surface is enhanced with polishing or illumination.
Desert Rose
Desert rose in its natural environment.
The desert rose -- also known as the gypsum flower -- is among the fibrous crystal family of gypsum and forms among dry, sandy conditions like those found in caves or caverns. It's named for the expanding rosette appearance that it takes on as it expands; the "petals" are actually crystals that follow cleavage planes like those of selenite.
Gypsum Rock
Gypsum rock is the variety most commonly used by the construction industry; it makes for an inexpensive, readily available and lightweight building material. The largest gypsum quarry in the world is located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Gypsum rock can also be dehydrated, ground into powder and converted into plaster, also widely used in construction. This powdered gypsum is used for a host of other purposes, including as an additive to soil and even food. This versatility is typical of the gypsum mineral in all its varieties.
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