Talk:Selenite
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[edit] Merge into gypsum
I think this stuff should be merged into gypsum. Discussion on Talk:Gypsum please. M0ffx 22:52, 27 April 2007 (UTC)
the bit about the aliens at the end should be put on the diambiguation page
I'm pretty sure that Satin-Spar and Selenite are two different minerals (though both types of gypsums), but i dont know enough about it to make a new page for satin-spar. Frail Elf 07:23, 17 January 2007 (UTC)
AshleyWitchcrafter 19:16, 10 March 2007 (UTC) I've written an article on selenite, satin spar, desert roses, and gypsum flowers - in that I would like to update the selenite article. However, being my first article, I would very much like to have it reviewed. I also have some pictures - but am awaiting on a couple for permission to reproduce at Wikipedia. The article is pasted below. The most "controversial" part of the article is the "Crystal Therapy" section. Plus I'm not sure if I've done references correctly, etc, etc. [Oops. I did do lots of internal links - looks like they disappeared with this paste.] Thanks, AshleyWitchcrafter
Selenite, satin spar, desert rose, and gypsum flower are the four crystalline varieties of gypsum.
(Gypsum and alabaster are the massive form of gypsum - massive meaning that neither gypsum nor alabaster has crystalline structure and crystal habit obvious to the naked eye.)
General identifying descriptions of the four crystalline varieties Selenite - most often transparent and colorless gypsum crystals - can include interior druse - druse: crust of tiny, minute, or micro crystals that form or fuse either within or upon the surface of a rock cavity, geode, or another crystal - if selenite crystals show translucency, opacity, and/or color, it is caused by the presence of other minerals Satin Spar - most often silky, fibrous, and translucent (pearly, milky) gypsum crystals - can exhibit some coloration Desert Rose - rosette shaped gypsum with outer druse of sand - most often sand colored (in all the colours that sand can exhibit) - gypsum desert roses should not be confused with barite desert roses - barite being a different mineral - barite desert roses are harder, heavier, and not as warm to the touch Gypsum Flower - rosette shaped gypsum with spreading fibers - can include outer druse - difference between desert roses and gypsum flowers is that desert roses look like roses, whereas, gypsum flowers form a myriad of shapes
Gypsum is a very soft mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4•2H2O. All of the gypsums - including the four crystalline varieties - can be scratched with a fingernail.
Gypsum is a natural insulator, feeling warm to the touch when compared to a more ordinary rock or quartz crystal. This same warmth exhibits in the four crystalline varieties.
Because of the long history of the commercial value and use of gypsum and alabaster, the four crystalline varieties have been more or less ignored except as a curiosity or as rock collectibles.
Since the late 20th century with the growing interest in crystal therapy and crystal healing in the New Age, Neo Pagan, and alternative healing countercultures, the four crystalline varieties of gypsum have increased in popularity and commercial value. This increased interest has translated itself into both the retail mineral and jewellery trades. In the retail mineral trade, all four crystalline varieties are offered as rough, carved, or tumbled specimens. In the retail jewellery trade, selenite crystals with interior druse are offered as a form of drusy jewellery. Much of the mineral trade tends to call all four crystalline varieties “selenite”.
Crystal habit [and 1] Selenite crystals commonly occur as tabular, reticular, and columnar crystals, often with no imperfections or inclusions; and thereby, appear water or glass-like. Nevertheless, there are many collectible selenite crystals that have interesting inclusions such as, accompanying related minerals, interior druse, and fossils. In some very rare instances, water was encased in a cavity as the crystal formed - the tiny bubble of water seen moving as the stone is rotated. Selenite sometimes forms in thin tabular or mica-like sheets; and has been used as glass panes.
Satin spar is almost always prismatic and fibrous in a parallel crystal habit.
Both rosettes are most often acicular (including dense bundles of fragile acicular crystals), bladed (particularly desert roses), scaly, stellate, and lenticular. Gypsum flowers often exhibit parallel, cactus-like growths; long, thin crystals showing curves and bends, some severely such as, “ram’s horn selenite”. Gypsum flower crystals frequently twin, forming fishtail, spear-head, and swallowtail twins; whereas, desert roses most often exhibit bladed crystal habit in the familiar shape of a rose.
Many gypsum crystals are found intact without distortions or parts broken off. Some crystals (most often selenite) are found in clay beds as floating crystals, where they fully form without being attached to a matrix or a base rock. Satin spar often occurs in seams, so is often attached to a matrix or base rock. Desert roses are almost always unattached to a matrix; whereas, gypsum flowers often are attached to a matrix or base rock.
Color Gypsum crystals are colorless (most often selenite), white (or pearly - most often satin spar), gray, brown, beige, orange, pink, yellow, light red, and green. Colors are caused by the presence of other minerals such as, copper ores, sulfur and sulfides, silver, iron ores, sand, coal, etc.
Transparency Gypsum crystals can be transparent (most often selenite), translucent (most often satin spar - also selenite), and opaque (most often the rosettes). Opacity can be caused by impurities, inclusions, druse, and crust - and can occur in all four crystalline varieties.
Luster Both selenite and satin spar are often glassy or vitreous, pearly, and silky - especially on cleavage surfaces. Luster is not often exhibited in the rosettes, due to their exterior druse; nevertheless, the rosettes often show glassy to pearly luster on blade edges. Gypsum flowers usually exhibit more luster than desert roses.
It is not recommended that you leave any form or variety of gypsum in water - as extended submersion will degrade the mineral. Detergents and soaps should be avoided, as they affect luster, particularly with selenite and satin spar - even lukewarm water can affect luster of selenite and satin spar.
Play of Color Fibrous satin spar exhibits chatoyancy (cat’s eye effect).
Also, when cut across the fibers and polished on the ends, satin spar exhibits an optical illusion when placed on a printed or pictured surface; and is often called and sold as the “television stone” (as is ulexite). Print and pictures appear to be on the surface of the sample. [2]
Some selenite and satin spar specimens exhibit fluorescence or phosphorescence.
Tenacity Selenite, satin spar, and gypsum flowers are slightly flexible, though will break if bent significantly. They are not elastic, meaning they can be bent, but will not bend back on their own. Both rosettes tend to be more fragile and brittle than selenite and satin spar.
All four crystalline varieties are sectile - soft enough to be easily be scratched with a fingernail. The rosettes are not as quite soft due to their exterior druse; nevertheless, they too can be scratched. Gypsum flowers can sometimes be brittle - particularly acicular gypsum flowers. Care in handling is recommended for all four crystalline varieties.
Occurrence Gypsum occurs on every continent and is the commonest of all the sulfate minerals.
Gypsum is formed as an evaporative mineral, frequently found in alkaline lake muds, clay beds, evaporated seas, salt flats, and caves. Gypsum, also, is frequently found in conjunction with other minerals such as, copper ores, sulfur and sulfides, silver, iron ores, calcite, dolomite, limestone, and opal. Gypsum has been dated to almost every geologic age. [3]
In dry desert conditions and arid areas, sand may become trapped both on the inside and the outside of gypsum crystals as they form. Interior inclusion of sand can take on shapes such as, an interior hourglass shape common to selenite crystals of the ancient Great Salt Plain Lake bed, Oklahoma. [4] Exterior inclusion occurs as embedded sand grains on the surface such as, commonly seen in the familiar desert rose.
When gypsum dehydrates severely, anhydrite is formed. If water is reintroduced, gypsum can and will reform - including as the four crystalline varieties. An example of gypsum crystals reforming in modern times is found at Philips Copper Mine (closed and abandoned), Putnam County, New York, USA where selenite micro crystal coatings are commonly found on numerous surfaces (rock and otherwise) in the cave and in the dump. [6]
Whereas Geology, Mineralogy, and Rockhounding groups, clubs, and societies as well as museums usually date, photograph, and note location of minerals, much of the retail mineral and jewellery trade can be somewhat casual about locations and descriptive claims.
An extensive list of gypsum localities plus pictures - indicating how numerous sites and mines localities are - and indicating how broad a range of crystal habit and color that the four crystalline varieties can exhibit - can be found at Mindat.org. [7] [8]
Crystal Therapy Of note: Claims about the therapeutic properties of crystals and stones in New Age, Neo Pagan, and alternative healing practices are either rarely or not scientifically proven - and many claims are severely criticized. Nevertheless, belief, faith, and alternative traditions play a large role; therefore, the following is mainly anecdotal.
Also of note: Much of the retail mineral and jewellery trades are casual about localities and man-made enhancements to crystals (not just gypsum). With prices often in the hundreds and thousands of dollars for unusual and/or large specimens, it is advisable for the buyer to beware.
Selenite - particularly when using water-clear crystals - as well as satin spar and both the rosettes - promote and assist mental clarity, insight, judgement, understanding, flexibility, learning, and awareness. All aid in clearing confusion; team the conscious with both the subconscious and the superconscious; and promote resolution and seeing the deeper picture.
Inclusions and colorations synergize selenite, satin spar, and gypsum flower properties. For example, a selenite crystal containing sulfur inclusions and yellow coloration has additional properties. Sulfur “electrifies” clarity and insight and more strongly eliminates blocking thoughts and emotions. Yellow - as a traditional color of communication - promotes this to the self and others (also see color symbolism).
In meditation and spiritual work, both selenite and satin spar can be used in accessing past and future lives as well as promoting telepathy, by gently rubbing the stone with a finger or thumb tip. Best stones for this work are those that are translucent and pearly. The ethereal quality of the translucence and pearliness is said to inhabit the area between light and matter and to transcend the linear quality of time. Both stones can also be used for scrying (divination).
The rosettes enhance friendship, harmony, and love - roses, traditionally, are flowers of friendship and love. As a variety of “selenite”, the rosettes clarify independence and motivation in relationships by assisting personal freedom from the requirements of others and oneself. Romantically, the rosettes enhance love within a relationship and facilitate clandestine meetings.
Lovers can trade all four crystalline varieties to help reconcile differences and promote harmony; and they can also heighten sexual energies and improve fertility.
Traditionally, in North American First Nation beliefs, desert roses were believed to have been carved by warriors who had passed onto the spiritual plane and left desert roses for the living to improve love, harmony, and teamwork.
In business endeavors, water-clear selenite crystals can help a person acquire the material things required for a business venture to be successful. Use as a “sword of awareness” to cut through the unconscious assumptions one makes each day.
All four crystalline varieties are considered to be protective in their energies - and can be used either as a protective talisman or for protective gridding (at corners or cardinal points) of a house. The rosettes are also believed to be earth healing - because their druse is often made of sand - and therefore, are protective of the earth.
All four crystalline varieties are considered calming stones - because they promote clarity and freedom.
In alternative healing, selenite and satin spar are beneficial to the spinal column, skeletal system, muscular structure, and cellular structure; as well as helping to stabilize epileptic disorders. All four crystalline varieties aid in overcoming free radicals and removal of toxins from the body.
Both selenite and satin spar are believed to activate the seventh (crown) chakra. The crown chakra is believed to be the connection to the divine and higher guidance - and when open or balanced allows the person to understand our relationship within and with the universe.
Selenite and satin spar are also believed to access angels or the angelic consciousness. Some of the gypsum flowers do the same, particularly those with fishtail and swallowtail habits.
The rosettes are believed to activate the fifth (throat) chakra - which aids in communication. Additionally, because the rosettes are associated with earth energy (presence of druse), they help balance and/or stabilize the first (base) chakra.
The astrological sign associated with selenite and satin spar is Taurus. Aquarius is associated with both rosettes (and barite desert roses).
References [1] Mineralogical Society of America - Mineral Identification Key Habit - refer also to Wikipedia’s listing on crystal habit [2] Will the real television stone please stand up? by Jeffrey Shallit, School of Computer Science and Peter Russell, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo, Canada - discussion whether ulexite or satin spar is the “real” television stone. When the optical illusion that some satin spar can exhibit was “discovered”, satin spar was “marketed” as ulexite - rather than as a gypsum variety. Ulexite is a different mineral. [3] Surface Mining - Industrial Minerals - Gypsum and Anhydrite, Richard H Olson, Edwin H Bentzen, III, and Gordon C Presley, Editors, SME - Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, USA [4] Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge website showing pictures of sand-colored hour-glass formations in clear selenite columnar crystals [5] Australian Mineral News - copy of original article about encased insect wing in selenite crystal found in northern Australian mine, early 20th century [6] Anthony’s Nose, New York: A Review of Three Mineral Localities, by John Betts, John Betts - Fine Minerals - page down to read about Philips Copper Mine and the re-formation of selenite crystals [7] Mindat.org - scientific description of gypsum plus list of localities - extensive list of over 2000 gypsum occurrences worldwide on all continents including Antarctica - occurrences are not all confirmed - and listings do not necessarily have pictures [8] Mindat.org - gypsum picture gallery - page 1 - gallery of over 600 pictures of all four crystalline varieties showing numerous locations, habits, and coloration
External Links Mineral Galleries - gypsum Web Mineral - gypsum MinMax Mineral Information System - gypsum (in German) Answers.com - gypsum Mineral Atlas - gypsum picture gallery - page 1 - over 300 pictures of all four crystalline varieties showing numerous locations, habits, and coloration Mineral Miners - color photographs of selenite, satin spar, and a desert rose, various locations Giant gypsum crystals and gypsum speleothems sites (mainly selenite) - Kraushöhle, Gams bei Hieflau, Austria - gypsum speleothems (in German) - Kristallgrotte - photograph of selenite crystals in Marienglashöhle Show Mine, Germany - selenite was commonly used in Germany during mediaeval times for glass panes in windows and, in particular, for coverings of pictures of the Madonna - in Germany, this form of selenite was usually referred to as Marienglas or Mary’s Glass - Pilar de Jaravia, Spain - large columnar selenite crystals in massive geode at Quien Tal Pensara Mine - also see The Giant Crystal Project - Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico - speleothems - Penoles Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico - large gypsum mine - massive selenite crystals in Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of Crystals) - selenite "blades" in Cueva de las Espadas (Caves of Swords or Xochitl Cave) - “shark’s (or dog) teeth” formations throughout the caves - one cave contains long, slender, slightly milky needles with tubular water-filled cavities and movable bubbles -1927 article on the giant crystals of Niaca, The Naica - Peñoles project, and The Giant Crystal Project Site-Naica
