Gypsum

Info: Gypsum is often found as colourless or white crystal. It can also obtain various alien colourations, mainly grey, yellow or brown. Various agregates of gypsum are selenite, alabaster and desert agregates known as desert roses. Gypsum is very soft mineral.

How to recognize: Gypsum can be dissolved in hot water, in UV light often gives strong flourescence.

Found: Gypsum was found in Mexico, Chile, USA, desert roses in Maroko, Algeria, Arizona and New Mexico (USA). Industrial gypsum deposits were found in the Paris valley (France), Canada, and in various locations in USA and Russia. In Czech Republic industrial deposits of gypsum were found near Opava.

Used for: Gypsum is used in construction industry, mainly as portland cement. Gypsum is also used in art, as sclupture material. Alabaster is used mainly as decoration.