Selenite

There has been some debate in regards to Satin Spar and Selenite. Selenite, also known as Satin Spar, Desert Rose, or Gypsum Flower are four crystal structure varieties of the mineral Gypsum. These four varieties of Gypsum may be grouped together and called Selenite. They all share similar properties and you may see them all being sold under the Selenite name.

 

Selenite and Satin Spar are the same mineral, a form of of Gypsum, but they crystallized differently to form either Selenite or Satin Spar. Selenite is the most famous of the two names, but true Selenite crystals are actually much more rare than Satin Spar, more expensive and much harder to find.

 

True Selenite is a transparent and colorless (or very lightly colored) variety of Gypsum that forms in distinct crystals. Selenite forms in large flat, transparent crystals that are often called "plates" or "windows". They have very thin sheets that can flake apart.

 

Satin Spar is a fibrous form of Gypsum. It is generally white, silky and translucent with a pearlescent or milky appearance. You can also find this in peach/orange as well. Satin Spar has fiber-optic properties, which means light can pass through the crystal making it appear as though they are vertical lines within the crystal. If you take a section of Satin Spar and polished the ends flat, then you would be able to see through it.

 

Desert Rose is another form of Gypsum. It is composed of Gypsum and Barite with sand inclusions. They can grow in formation of a rosette or single "roses", or in impressive clusters that are quite fragile but beautiful.

 

Even though this page is titled Selenite, I will be identifying the crystals for what they are so you know which form of Gypsum you are purchasing. - Selenite, Satin Spar and Desert Rose. All forms of Gypsum are beautiful in their own ways and useful with having similar properties and they can also be used to help charge your other crystals. Please remember that the crystals in the Gypsum family are a softer type of mineral and all forms tend to be fragile and can break, chip, splinter and flake. They can also dissolve if wet for a period of time. If they are mixed in with other crystals or if you use them for charging, you can scratch up the surface of polished pieces fairly easy. No matter which form you choose, this is a beautiful crystal.