Gypsum Roses, Sand Roses or Desert Roses

Rose-like formation of crystal agregates of gypsum which include abudant sand grains. Through evaporation of shallow salt basin´s in the arid sandy areas gypsum roses crystalize in form of  rosette clusters. The correct mineralogical nomenclature is Gypsum for this kind of mineral, but of course the term Sand or Desert Rose ist just colloquial name.

Gypsum Rose (Desert Rose)


Sonora desert, Mexico

Item-No.: 0300014
Price: 95.00 EUR 

Synonyms:  Selenite, Gypsum rose, Sand rose, Desert rose
Classification:  Sulfates
Chemical formula:  CaSO4 · 2H2O
Crystal system:  Monoclinic
Density (g/cm3):  2,312 - 2,322  measured,  2,308  calculated
Tenacity:  Flexible
Cleavage:  Perfect and easy on {010}
Fracture:  Splintery, Conchoidal
Hardness (Mohs):  1,5 - 2
Colour:  White, grey, yellow-brown, brown
Lustre:  Sub-vitreous, earthy, dull
Streak:  White
Application:  Construction industry, plaster, plasterboard