Selenite roses are distinctive, rose-like cluster formations of gypsum blades that form in arid, sandy environments through the evaporation of mineral-rich water. Collectors look for sharp, well-defined petal structures and minimal damage to the delicate edges. They are commonly found in desert basins where wind and shifting sands contribute to their unique, flowering appearance.
Is this selenite roses?
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 roses with a known reference. Selenite Roses 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. Selenite Roses leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Selenite Roses typically shows a pearly luster.
- 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 Roses vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside selenite roses
Minerals reported to co-occur with selenite roses. 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
- Typical price
- $5-50 depending on size and definition
Where rockhounds find selenite roses
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Oklahoma, USA
- Chihuahua, Mexico
- Sahara Desert, Algeria
- Tunisia
- Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in arid evaporite basins country — that is the host setting where selenite roses typically forms. If you start seeing halite, anhydrite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lenticular bladed clusters habit, so 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.
Common questions
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Find selenite roses on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
