A selenite rose is a rose-like cluster of gypsum blades that forms in arid, sandy environments as mineral-rich water evaporates. Look for sharp, well-defined petal structure and minimal damage to the delicate edges. It is found in desert basins, where wind and shifting sand contribute to its flowering appearance.
Is this selenite rose?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch selenite rose with a known reference. Selenite Rose sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, tan, brown, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: lenticular bladed clusters.
Often confused with
Selenite Rose vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside selenite rose
Minerals reported to co-occur with selenite rose. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaSO₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lenticular bladed clusters
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Fluorescence
- Often fluorescent white or green under SW UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- arid evaporite basins
Where rockhounds find selenite rose
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Oklahoma, USA
- Chihuahua, Mexico
- Sahara Desert, Algeria
- Tunisia
- Spain
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: arid evaporite basins. If you start seeing halite, anhydrite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: lenticular bladed clusters. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in South Dakota. Start trip planning there.
More selenite rose photos
Common questions
How do you identify selenite rose?+
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What rocks look like selenite rose?+
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Find selenite rose on the map
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