Gypsum
Image: Ivar Leidus (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameGypsum
Chemical FormulaCaSO₄·2H₂O
Mohs Hardness2
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect on {010}, good on {100} and {111}
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity2.32
Colorsgreen, colorless, white
Transparencypartly transparent
Type LocalitySieroszowice mine, Lubin, Lower Silesia, Poland
Mineral GroupSulfates
Usesplaster, drywall, fertilizer, cement, collector
Associated Mineralsherbertsmithite, anhydrite, halite, calcite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen features a cluster of elongated, prismatic gypsum crystals, ranging from pale to vibrant green due to herbertsmithite inclusions, forming an aesthetic display.
Geological Context
Gypsum is a common evaporite mineral, forming in sedimentary environments from the evaporation of saline water bodies. It can also occur in hydrothermal veins or as a hydration product of anhydrite.
