Gypsum is an evaporite mineral, meaning it is formed from water-soluble minerals after the water has evaporated. The name comes from the Greek words "gyps" for "burned" and "selenite" for the pearl luster.
Identification
Gypsum is the most common sulfate mineral. It is common to find gypsum with calcite, sulfur, halite and anhydrite in layers of sedimentary deposits.
Color
Gypsum is a translucent or transparent mineral found in various colors: white, yellow, brown, red, gray or clear colorless.
Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of gypsum is CaSO4.2H2O. The mineral is composed of 55.76 percent oxygen, 23.28 percent calcium, 18.62 percent sulfur and 2.34 percent hydrogen.
Characteristics
Characteristics of gypsum include a low hardness level, perfect cleavage and a monoclinic crystal system of vectors with unequal lengths.
Geological Locations
Gypsum deposits are found in water marine evaporites, caves where the air is dry enough for deposits to form, areas where the Earth's crust has opened, and occasionally in oxidized areas of sulfide deposits.
Uses
Gypsum is used in the manufacturing of wallboard, plaster of Paris and cement. Some varieties are used for ornamental purposes.
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