Gypsum/Selenite
Selenite...Gypsum is one of the most common, rock-forming minerals, developing thick beds formed by the evaporation of extremely salt laden waters. Gypsum is associated with halite and sulfur. It is deposited from lakes, seawater, hot springs, volcanic moisture, and sulfate solutions in underground veins. Anhydrite in underground veins can be converted into gypsum by hydration from groundwater close to surface areas. Gypsum dissolves over time in water, and is rarely found in the form of sand.
A well known oddity is the White Sands National Monument in the state of New Mexico. The unique conditions there have produced a 275 square mile area of white gypsum sand. In 1933 President Herbert Hoover declared the gypsum dunes a protected national monument to prevent commercialization of the area.
When heated under appropriate conditions, gypsum forms plaster of Paris. Gypsum is extremely useful for many practical applications and for works of art. In particular, it is used for wallboard for buildings, as a component of concrete for the construction of highways and bridges, and as a soil conditioner for agriculture. The Clear variety is called selenite. The translucent variety, called alabaster, is a valuable ornamental stone. When converted to plaster of Paris, it is used in sculpture, architecture, fire protection, and theatrical sets. There are many formations of Gypsum that make outstanding collection specimens, and it is a favorite of rockhounds!
For a description from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsum
Item # SELBR10160004
Very Rare Selenite formed on a branch
VERY RARE Selenite formed on branch
Absolutely the most unique Selenite Crystal formation found in California by Maggie McShan (1915-2004) This is from her collection in Needles, California. This desirable specimen has Gypsum Selenite crystals that formed on a shrub branch and was found with several other specimens with smaller branch inclusions. This specimen is EXTREMELY Fragile. Care will be taken, packing this in a Medium Flat Rate box with lots of padding, but some of these crystals may be damaged in shipping. There are currently 4 separation breaks on the branch, we suppose from the branch being flexed years ago. This specimen is estimated to have been collected in the 1960's and was one of Maggie's favorite pieces.
This piece weighs 2.5oz or 0.15 lb (72g) The crystal formation measures 10" (25cm) long on a branch that is 11.75" (29.5cm) long with a crystal growth formation from 1/2" to 3/4" (12.7 to 19mm) in diameter on a 1/4" (5.7mm) diameter branch the widest crystal growth branch off point measures 1.5" (40mm)
Item # TSELBR10160051
Very Rare Selenite Tee from a branch
$29.00
VERY RARE Selenite from a branch
A unique Selenite Crystal formation found in California by Maggie McShan (1915-2004) This is from her collection in Needles, California. This desirable specimen has Gypsum Selenite crystals that formed on a shrub branch and was found with small branch inclusions. This specimen is estimated to have been collected in the 1960's.
This piece weighs 4.8oz or 0.3 lb (138g) The crystal formation measures 3.8 x 2.9 x 1.29 inches (9.7 x 7.4 x 3.2cm)
Item # ABS12201001
Butterscotch Selenite Plate from Australia
$19.00
Australian (Butterscotch) Selenite Plate
Beautiful Selenite Plate formation from Nyah West, Victoria, Australia . This specimen is very interesting and crystal formations may be seen as plate is moved.
Weight 0.58 oz (17g) Measures 1.8 x 1.2 x 0.53" (47 x 31 x 13.5 mm)
Item # ABS12201001
Rare Butterscotch Selenite Cluster from Australia
$35.00
Australian (Butterscotch) Selenite Cluster
Absolutely stunning Selenite Acicular Crystal formation with crystal sizes from very fine to 7.9 mm wide and up to 19 mm long. Their coloring is a butterscotch showing a transparent to a translucent clarity. This desirable specimen comes from Nyah West, Victoria, Australia . This specimen is EXTREMELY Fragile.
Weight 0.24 oz (7g) Measures 1.4 x 0.84 x 0.81" (37 x 21 x 20 mm)
Orange Selenite
Orange Selenite is a very impressive stone. It has a peachy orange color and has white fibrous strands as you can see from the rough sides. It carves and polishes easily and displays a brilliant orange (see picture on right side) when backlit or placed on a lighted display. Most of this is found in Pakistan or Morocco and is rather difficult to find quality specimens for carving as other minerals form in the selenite. Most of the less pure specimens are made into candle holders for Tea Light or Votive styles of Candles.
Item # SEL09114791
3.29 lbs of Enchanting Natural Orange Selenite
$42.00
3.29 lbs of Enchanting Natural Orange Selenite
3.29 POUNDS of Beautiful ORANGE SELENITE from Pakistan. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Excellent Carving rough! This Triangular shaped Selenite specimen weighs 3.29 lbs (1496g) and measures
5.7 x 5.1 x 5.3" (14.6 x 12.9 x 13.4 cm) on the sides and thickness is 2.2" (5.7cm) stepped up to 3.2"(8.3cm)
Item # SEL03175422
Selenite Ice from Empire, Nevada
Selenite Ice from Nevada. This selenite variety is clear with internal fractures and corresponding rainbow patterns in angled light sources. A nice natural rough piece for a display specimen that has an ice like sheen.
weighs 9.6 oz or 0.6 lbs (272g) and measures 4.4 x 3.4 x 0.76 inches (11.2 x 8.8 x 1.9cm)
Item # SEL03175991
Selenite Point from Socorro, New Mexico
$39.00
Selenite Point (shard) is from the Juanita Mine, Magdalena District, Socorro Co., New Mexico. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Excellent specimen from this locale. This was procured by a geologist in Socorro.
Selenite weighs 9.1 oz or 0.57 lb (260g) and measures 6.1 x 1.8 x 1.2" (15.7 x 4.7 x 3cm)
This Gypsum Selenite is from Hanksville in Wayne County, Utah Gypsum Selenite has many interesting properties, and has very unique crystal habits. Many Gypsum crystals are found perfectly intact without distortions or parts broken off. Such crystals are found in a clay beds as floater crystals, where they fully form without being attached to a matrix. Most Gypsum has some matrix attached. Clear or colorless Gypsum is often referred to as selenite Ice due to its high sheen. Fibrous compact white Gypsum is referred to as White Gypsum Satin Spar due to its satin sheen.
Gypsum has the same composition as the mineral Anhydrite, except it has water in its structure. Many Anhydrite specimens absorb water, transforming into Gypsum. Gypsum specimens show evidence of the transformation by developing disintegrating layers that appear to spread due to the expansion from the added water. Gypsum specimens should only be cleaned with water. Soaps and detergents should never be used because they can infiltrate the crevices of a crystal and ruin its beautiful luster.
Item # 11SELUT07190531
Utah Colorless Gypsum Selenite Ice
$34.00
Natural Colorless Selenite Ice
Selenite Ice from Hanksville in Wayne County, Utah. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Excellent sheet layer formation visible from the edges. Excellent clarity and high sheen!
This Selenite Ice weighs 21.9 oz or 1.37 lbs (621g) and measures roughly 12 x 5 x 0.5" (35 x 12.8 x 1.2cm) across the extremes
Item # 12SELUT07190042
Utah Colorless Gypsum Selenite Ice
$49.00
Natural Colorless Selenite Ice
Selenite Ice from Hanksville in Wayne County, Utah. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Excellent sheet layer formation visible from the edges. Excellent clarity and high sheen!
This Selenite Ice weighs 38.5 oz or 2.4 lbs (1.09kg) and measures roughly 9.5 x 6.7 x 0.65" (25 x 17 x 1.65cm) across the extremes
Item # SEL0911999A
Gypsum Selenite with Matrix from Nevada
$22.00
Stunning Colorless Selenite Crystals on Matrix
Selenite Crystals on matrix from Weeks, Nevada. Weeks is an old collecting site between Reno and Carson City east towards Silver Springs. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Beautiful crystal formations on a matrix with a green coloring. This is Old Stock Material found years ago. This came from a collection from the 1930's through the 1950's
This Selenite weighs 4.76 oz (135g) and measures roughly 2.3 x 1.7 x 1.1" (59.7 x 43.6 x 29.6mm)
Item # SEL0920999B
Gypsum Selenite with Matrix from Nevada
$28.00
Stunning Colorless Selenite Crystals on Matrix
Selenite Crystals on matrix from Weeks, Nevada. Weeks is an old collecting site between Reno and Carson City east towards Silver Springs. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Beautiful crystal formations on a matrix with a brown iron coloring. This is Old Stock Material found years ago. This came from a collection from the 1930's through the 1950's
This Selenite weighs 4 oz or 0.25 lb (115g) and measures roughly 2.1 x 1.8 x 1.2" (5.5 x 4.7 x 3.1cm)
Item # SEL0911999C
Gypsum Selenite with Matrix from Nevada
$10.00
Clear Selenite Crystals on Matrix
Selenite Crystals on matrix from Weeks, Nevada. Weeks is an old collecting site between Reno and Carson City east towards Silver Springs. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Beautiful crystal formations on a matrix with a green coloring. This is Old Stock Material found years ago. This came from a collection from the 1930's through the 1950's
This Selenite weighs 2.3 oz (65g) and measures roughly 1.7 x 1.2 x 0.9" (44 x 30 x 23mm)
Item # SEL0911999D
Gypsum Selenite with Matrix from Nevada
$14.00
Clear Selenite Crystals on Matrix
Selenite Crystals on matrix from Weeks, Nevada. Weeks is an old collecting site between Reno and Carson City east towards Silver Springs. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Beautiful crystal formations on a matrix with a green coloring. This is Old Stock Material found years ago. This came from a collection from the 1930's through the 1950's
This Selenite weighs 3.1 oz (89g) and measures roughly 2 x 1.4 x 1.1" (52 x 37 x 29mm)
Item # SEL09112280
1.34 lbs of Gypsum Selenite with Matrix
$17.00
1.34 lbs Natural Gypsum Selenite with Matrix from Las Vegas Nevada
1.34 lbs of Gypsum Selenite with matrix from Nevada. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Multiple sheet layer formation visible from the edges. Matrix is mixed throughout the selenite...this is sometimes referred to as "Dirty Ice" Selenite
This Selenite weighs 1.34 lbs (609g) and measures roughly 6.7 x 6.3 x 0.7" (17 x 16 x 1.9cm)
Item # SEL0911S21C999H
Gypsum Selenite with Matrix from Nevada
Clear Selenite Crystals on Matrix
Selenite Crystals on matrix from Weeks, Nevada. Weeks is an old collecting site between Reno and Carson City east towards Silver Springs. The photos show this specimen in its natural state. Beautiful crystal formations on a matrix with a brown iron coloring. This is Old Stock Material found years ago. This came from a collection from the 1930's through the 1950's
This Selenite weighs 2.4 oz (69g) and measures roughly 1.7 x 1.4 x 1" (45 x 37 x 27mm)
Item # ABS06137373
XL Rare Butterscotch Selenite Cluster from Australia
Australian (Butterscotch) Selenite Cluster
Absolutely stunning double layer Selenite Acicular Crystal formation with crystal sizes from very fine to 15.8mm wide and up to 58mm long. Their coloring is a butterscotch showing a transparent to a translucent clarity. This desirable specimen from our personal collection comes from Australia. This specimen is EXTREMELY Fragile. Extra-Care will be taken in packing, but some of these crystals could be damaged in shipping. From Nyah West, Victoria, Australia
Weight 4.6 oz or 0.29lb (131g) Measures 5.4 x 3.6 x 2.2" (13.9 x 9.3 x 5.8cm)