M188 - Selenite Crystal Cluster.

Selenite rose, gypsum rose, desert rose, rose rock, gypsum rosette, and all names give to these unusual crystal formations. the petals' are crystals flattened on the crystallographic axis, fanning open along characteristic gypsum cleavage planes. The rosette crystal habit tends to occur when the crystals form in arid sandy conditions, such as the evaporation of a shallow salt basin. Gypsum roses usually have better defined, sharper edges than barite roses.

When found these selenite roses do not have the white you see on the outer edges of the "petals". When found this material is very fragile and breaks apart very easily. It's a common practice for the rock dealers to heat the crystals with a small torch to dry most of the moisture from the crystals in order to make them less fragile and this process turns the outer parts of the crystals white.

 SPECIAL BUY

Price:   $ 20.00 each.