Gypsum
Mineral Group: SULFATES
RocksForKids.com
| Gypsum comes in different
varieties. When it is chalky or opaque, it goes by the name of
gypsum.
When it is clear & transparent, it is known as
selenite. When it is
granular and comes in massive chunks it is called
alabaster. When it forms in petals and
looks like a flower, it is called a "gypsum
rose". One common use for gypsum is to make the wallboard that the walls in houses are made from. |
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Gypsum |
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 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Dundas, Ontario, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Dundas, Ontario, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Nova Scotia, CANADA |
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Gypsum Rose
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 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: MEXICO |
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Selenite
is a variety of gypsum.
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 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Dundas, Ontario, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN LOCATION: Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN LOCATION: Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN LOCATION: Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA |
 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: Red River Floodway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA |
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Alabaster is a variety of gypsum. It is opaque. When gypsum looks like it is granular (made from compacted little grains) and is found in compact masses, it is called alabaster. It takes a soft shine and is often used to carve sculptures. |
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 SPECIMEN ORIGIN: UNITED STATES |
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