Gypsum

Gypsum is a soft mineral that is often used to make plaster. It can be white or transparent.

Appearance

The Gypsum is often white or colorless, sometimes appearing grey, yellow, or pink. It can form clear, glassy crystals or fibrous, silky masses, making it look quite distinct from other common minerals.

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Gypsum

Interesting facts

Ancient Egyptians used gypsum plaster to help build the pyramids!

It's a secret ingredient in cement, plaster, and even some toothpastes!

The world's largest crystals, up to 12 meters long, are gypsum!

You can find gypsum crystals that look like flowers, called 'desert roses'!

Special abilities

Gypsum has a very low hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale, making it soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail.

Gypsum contains water in its crystal structure, which can be released by heating to create plaster.

Some gypsum forms transparent crystals called selenite, which are so clear you can see right through them.

Measurements & details

Color Range: white, colorless, grey, yellow, brown, pink
Hardness: 2
Luster: vitreous
Specific Gravity: 2.3
Crystal System: monoclinic

Traits

Sedimentary

Discover rocks made from tiny pieces of other rocks, sand, or even ancient living things, all pressed together over time! They tell stories of Earth's past.

Crystalline

Find minerals that have grown into beautiful, sparkly shapes with flat faces and sharp edges, like tiny natural sculptures. These amazing formations reflect light in unique ways!

Natural

These are wonderful things that come straight from the Earth, shaped by wind, water, and sun! Everything from towering trees to tiny pebbles is part of our natural world.