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Gypsum

Selenite

MNHN N°192.22

visu_512 infos

FROM : Fuentes de Ebro, Saragosse, Spain
SIZE : 17 x 15.5 x 13 cm

general description

This sample is composed of colorless crystals of gypsum (selenite variety) in a white matrix of massive gypsum. Crystals are crystalline, extremely transparent and perfectly formed. The whole sample measures 17 x 15.5 x 13 cm, crystals attain 4 cm.

It comes from Fuentes de Ebro deposit in Spain. It was acquired thanks to support from Total.

This sample is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

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The Species page

Identity card

SPECIE : Gypsum
VARIETY :Sélénite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "γυψοσ" [gupsos] and by the Latin "gypsum" meaning "plaster stone"

Species described in -315 by Theophrastus (372-287), Greek naturalist

Type-locality: unknown

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ca SO4 2H2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Coulorless, white, yellow, blue, pink or reddish
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Sub-vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Acicular to prismatic crystals, tabular, curved
HARDNESS : 1,5-2,0
DENSITY : 2,31

CHEMICAL CLASS : VI - Sulfates, chromates,
GROUP : Gypsum-bassanite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 6/C.22-20
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 7.CD.30

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