# Gypsum

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

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Alabaster, Selenite

![Gypsum](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426194/objects/5413.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## 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

- **Soft Touch:** Gypsum has a very low hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale, making it soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail.
- **Water Wizard:** Gypsum contains water in its crystal structure, which can be released by heating to create plaster.
- **Crystal Clear:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/sedimentary): Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediments, organic matter, or chemical precipitates.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Gypsum?

Compare crystal faces, growth shape, clarity and how the crystals cluster. A polished or tumbled stone has lost much of the natural shape that makes identification easier. Crystal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Gypsum be?

white, colorless, grey, yellow, brown, pink

### How hard is Gypsum?

2

### What kind of luster does Gypsum have?

vitreous

### What is Gypsum's specific gravity?

2.3

### What crystal system does Gypsum belong to?

monoclinic

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Gypsum: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gypsum)