Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
gypsum

Chemical Group:    sulfate

Chemical Formula:    CaSO₄.H₂O

Color:  colorless, white, gray, yellowish, pink

Hardness:  2        Specific Gravity:  2.32       

Transparency:  transparent to translucent

Cleavage: 1 direction, very good

Crystal Forms and Habits:  Monoclinic system
     Forms single crystals, crystal clusters that resemble roses, fibrous (satinspar),

     massive
    Twin crystals are known as swallowtail twins

Mineral Associations:

Identifying Characteristics:

Uses:  Used for making Plaster of Paris.

Occurrences: 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- low          when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: