Single Crystal Blade
Nevada
Diagnostic Features
Hardness : 2
Streak: White
Specific Gravity : 2.4
Luster : Nonmetallic
Cleavage : Present
Fracture : Uneven
Other : Crystals strongly resemble calcite but are noticeably softer
and possess different cleavage development. Gypsum is also
easily scratched with your fingernail.
Identification Tips
1. Clear selenite cleavage fragments usually appear in the form of flattened blades. This is unlike calcite, the cleavage fragments of which are generally equidimensional,
2. The terminations (ends) of selenite "blades" are either pointed or indented into a v-shape. The v-shape indentations are referred to as "fish-tails" due to the similarity in appearance.
3. Selenite crystals possess wedge-shaped, tapered terminations, unlike calcite whose crystal faces converge into points.
4. Selenite is very soft and emits an earthy odor when briskly rubbed.
5. Selenite emits water vapor when heated.
6. Massive "rock" gypsum, also known as alabaster, possesses a sugary, crystalline texture and ranges from pale tan to brown.
"Frosted" Crystals
Red River Floodway
Canada
Cleaved Crystal
Nagcodoches County
Texas
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cleaved Crystal]
Nagcodoches County
TEXAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cleaved Crystal]
Nagcodoches County
TEXAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cleaved Crystal]
Nagcodoches County
TEXAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cleaved Crystal]
Nagcodoches County
TEXAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cleaved Crystal]
Nagcodoches County
TEXAS
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Satin Spar
Naica
MEXICO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Satin Spar
Naica
MEXICO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Satin Spar
Naica
MEXICO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Satin Spar
Naica
MEXICO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Satin Spar
Naica
MEXICO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Twinned and Interpenetrated Crystals
Seeben
Halle
Saxony-Anhalt
GERMANY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Twinned and Interpenetrated Crystals
Seeben
Halle
Saxony-Anhalt
GERMANY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Bladed Crystal Fragment
Oligocene Outcrops
Montalbán
Teruel
Aragón
SPAIN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Bladed Crystalline Nodular Rosette
Colorado Springs
El Paso County
COLORADO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Bladed Crystalline Nodular Rosette
Colorado Springs
El Paso County
COLORADO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Translucent Satin Spar
Cedar Mountain
Lone Tree
Sweetwater County
WYOMING
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Translucent Satin Spar
Cedar Mountain
Lone Tree
Sweetwater County
WYOMING
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Intergrown Transparent Crystals
Hanos puszta
Bajna
Komárom-Esztergom County
HUNGARY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Intergrown Transparent Crystals
Hanos puszta
Bajna
Komárom-Esztergom County
HUNGARY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Intergrown Transparent Crystals
Březno
Louny District
Ústí nad Labem Region
CZECH REPUBLIC
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Intergrown Transparent Crystals
Březno
Louny District
Ústí nad Labem Region
CZECH REPUBLIC
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Intergrown Transparent Crystals
Březno
Louny District
Ústí nad Labem Region
CZECH REPUBLIC
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Satin Spar
CALIFORNIA
