Gypsum Set (Satin Spar + 2 sand gypsum)

Gypsum is one of the softest minerals, a 2 on the Moh's Mineral Hardness scale. It is also the most common sulfate mineral and has many industrial uses.

This listing contains:

1 * Satin Spar (Morocco)

2 * Sand gypsum (unknown where mined) - also called desert rose when it is more complex. (This pack includes one more rosette-like and the other a flat disc.)

The science here is in how the gypsum forms its crystals. When it is evaporating in desert sandy environments, it tends to form disc shapes, often at odd angles, which can look like a rose. When it forms in seams in rocks from evaporating liquid, it gets long parallel fibers as seen in satin spar.

If your child would like, they can crush and scratch the sand gypsum disc to see how soft it really is. The satin spar can be scratched easily with finger nails as well.

Gypsum is a fascinating mineral that has been used by humans for thousands of years for its unique properties and applications. From ancient times to modern day, gypsum has been used in everything from building materials to art and medicine.

Gypsum has a long and storied history. It was first discovered in the ancient city of Gypsum in what is now Iraq, and was used by the ancient Egyptians in their building materials and art. In fact, the Great Pyramids of Giza were built using gypsum, and many ancient Egyptian statues and carvings were made from the mineral.

But gypsum wasn't just valued for its use in art and architecture – it also had practical uses. In medicine, it was used as a plaster to set broken bones, and it was also used as a soil conditioner to improve crop yields. Today, it's still used in a wide range of applications, from construction to dentistry to food production.

So what exactly is gypsum? It's a mineral that's composed of calcium sulfate, and is often found in the form of transparent or translucent crystals. Its distinctive properties come from its crystal structure, which allows it to be easily carved and shaped.

Gypsum is a fascinating and versatile mineral that has played an important role in human history. Its unique properties and applications make it a popular choice for everything from art and architecture to medicine and food production.