RocksdayDesert Rose vs Gypsum
To tell Desert Rose from Gypsum: Clear gypsum blades are selenite; a desert rose has sand between the petals.
A sand-filled rosette of gypsum or of barite. The petals are flat crystals that grew in loose sand.
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
A soft, water-bearing calcium sulfate formed as seawater and lakes evaporate. Clear crystals are called selenite; sand-filled rosettes are 'desert roses'.
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
Key differences
- Clear gypsum blades are selenite; a desert rose has sand between the petals.
- A desert rose is gypsum or barite grown into a sand-filled rosette.
Side by side
| Property | Desert Rose | Gypsum |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 2–3.5 | 2 |
| Luster | Earthy to vitreous | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Brown, White, Yellow, Orange | Clear, White, Brown |
| Crystal system | Rosette of gypsum or barite | Monoclinic |
| Specific gravity | — | 2.31–2.33 |
| Formula | — | CaSO₄·2H₂O |
| Found in | Sahara, Tunisia and Algeria; Chihuahua, Mexico | Naica, Mexico; White Sands, New Mexico |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify desert rose
- Rose or ball of sandy petals.
- Gypsum roses scratch with a fingernail and feel light.
- Barite roses need a knife to scratch and feel heavy.
- Neither fizzes in acid.
Crystal system: Rosette of gypsum or barite
Full Desert Rose guide →How to identify gypsum
- Scratches with a fingernail (hardness 2).
- Clear blades that bend slightly before snapping.
- Doesn't fizz in acid.
- Feels warm, not cold like glass.
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Full Gypsum guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between desert rose and gypsum?
Desert Rose is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 2–3.5 and an earthy to vitreous luster, usually brown, white, yellow or orange. Gypsum is a mineral (CaSO₄·2H₂O) with a Mohs hardness of 2 and a vitreous to pearly luster, usually colorless, white or brown.
How can you tell desert rose from gypsum?
Clear gypsum blades are selenite; a desert rose has sand between the petals. A desert rose is gypsum or barite grown into a sand-filled rosette.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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