Gypsum

Gypsum
General
CategorySulfate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
CaSO4·2H2O
IMA symbolGp[1]
Strunz classification7.CD.40
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space groupMonoclinic
Space group: I2/a
Unit cella = 5.679(5), b = 15.202(14)
c = 6.522(6) Å; β = 118.43°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorColorless (in transmitted light) to white; often tinged other hues due to impurities; may be yellow, tan, blue, pink, dark brown, reddish brown or gray
Crystal habitMassive, flat. Elongated and generally prismatic crystals
TwinningVery common on {110}
CleavagePerfect on {010}, distinct on {100}
FractureConchoidal on {100}, splintery parallel to [001]
TenacityFlexible, inelastic
Mohs scale hardness1.5–2 (defining mineral for 2)
LusterVitreous to silky, pearly, or waxy
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.31–2.33
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.519–1.521
nβ = 1.522–1.523
nγ = 1.529–1.530
Birefringenceδ = 0.010
PleochroismNone
2V angle58°
Fusibility5
SolubilityHot, dilute HCl
References[2][3][4]
Major varieties
Satin sparPearly, fibrous masses
SeleniteTransparent and bladed crystals
AlabasterFine-grained, slightly colored

Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O.[4] It is widely mined and is used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, drywall and blackboard or sidewalk chalk.[5][6][7][8] Gypsum also crystallizes as translucent crystals of selenite. It forms as an evaporite mineral and as a hydration product of anhydrite. The Mohs scale of mineral hardness defines gypsum as hardness value 2 based on scratch hardness comparison.

Fine-grained white or lightly tinted forms of gypsum known as alabaster have been used for sculpture by many cultures including Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire, and the Nottingham alabasters of Medieval England.

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C., eds. (2003). "Gypsum" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Vol. V (Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates). Chantilly, VA, US: Mineralogical Society of America. ISBN 978-0962209703. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 February 2006.
  3. ^ Gypsum. Mindat
  4. ^ a b Klein, Cornelis; Hurlbut, Cornelius S. Jr. (1985), Manual of Mineralogy (20th ed.), John Wiley, pp. 352–353, ISBN 978-0-471-80580-9
  5. ^ Institute, Canadian Conservation (14 September 2017). "Care of Objects Made of Plaster of Paris – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 12/2". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  6. ^ Make your own sidewalk chalk. (1998, July 21). Christian Science Monitor. 13.
  7. ^ "Plaster | Definition, Uses, Types, & Facts". Britannica. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  8. ^ "drywall — definition". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 20 January 2023.