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**Chemical composition:** CaSO₄·2H₂O
**Hardness:** 1.5 – 2
**Density:** 2.3 – 2.4 g/cm³
**Crystal system:** Monoclinic
**Luster:** Vitreous to Resinous
**Info:** Gypsum occurs in nature as flattened and often twinned crystals. A transparent variety is called selenite. A massive fine-grained white or lightly tinted variety is called alabaster, which has been often used for sculpture. Gypsum can be used also as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster in building.
## Keywords
mineral gypsum texture color ornamental stone semi-precious gemstone