# Gypsum > [!material-gem] Material Details > | | | > |---|---| > | **Aliases/Varieties** | Selenite. Satin Spar. Desert Rose. Alabaster. | > | **Category** | Gemstone | > | **Color(s)** | Colorless, white, gray, tan, brown | > | **Cost** | —— | > | **Environment/Habitat** | —— | > | **Profession(s)** | [[Alchemist]], [[Cook]], [[Jewelcrafter]], [[Tinkerer]] | > | **Qualities** | - Alchemical<br>- Culinary<br>- Healing<br>- Protective | > | **Rarity** | —— | > | **Size** | —— | > | **Weight** | —— | > [!material-gem] Specifications > | | | > |---|---| > | **Crystal System** | Monoclinic | > | **Formations** | Thick beds and strata in sedimentary rocks | > | **Formula** | CaSO4·2H2O | > | **Hardness** | 2.0 (Mohs) | > | **Mineral Class** | Sulfate mineral | > | **Primary Components** | calcium, sulfur | > | **Refractive Index** | —— | --- ## Description A common mineral, soft enough to bend or break in hands. It finds many uses in construction and agriculture, in interactions with ghosts, and in treasure hunting. ### Physical Description A common sulfate mineral, usually white, transparent, yellowish, or tan, but sometimes colored by mineral impurities. Soft enough to bend thin crystals—but not elastic, as it does not return to the original shape—gypsum may be recognized by the presence of water and a perfect cleavage. The luster varies—silky, pearly, vitreous, or dull. Alabaster is a fine-grained mass variety used in sculptures. Satin spar, built of fibrous crystals, has a unique satin play of light. Desert rose is a collection of flat, petal-like crystals with embedded sand grains. Selenite, a translucent, silky variation, is described in its own entry (p. 204.) --- ## Occurrence Gypsum appears both in crystals and in large masses called gypsum rocks. It occurs mostly in sedimentary rocks, in areas of evaporation of highly saline water, and is often layered with limestone. ### Extraction & Preparation After surface extraction, gypsum is crushed into smaller chunks for industrial use. The crystals are extracted separately and carefully cleaned. As gypsum is delicate and moderately water-soluble, the crystals should be kept away from soaps, and other detergents, and never left submerged in water for a prolonged time. --- ## Properties ### Culinary Properties Use gypsum as a source of dietary calcium; it can be added to tofu, mineral yeast, flour, and other food and drink. ### Decorative Properties Alabaster and gypsum-based plaster are used for sculptures, molds, models, and interior decorations. Softness made it easy to carve and prone to getting damaged. Powdered gypsum is a common base for gesso, a white paint mixture used to prime canvas for future artwork. ### Industrial Properties Ground gypsum is used in agriculture as fertilizer and soil conditioner. In the construction industry, it is a core component of varieties of plaster, mortar, concrete, and drywall boards. Gypsum is also used in pharmaceuticals, surgical plasters, and toothpastes. ### Magical Properties Figurines carved from alabaster make perfect vessels for powerful protective enchantments, as the mineral's softness allows the spells to take good hold. A small alabaster hand worn as a pendant is often sold as a "guiding hand;" it allows the wearer to see ghosts and spirits, makes them friendlier and more willing to share gifts or information. Such hands also guide to treasures by glowing with a yellow light of varying intensity when in presence of valuable metals and gemstones. Gypsum is a strong conductor of magical energy. Due to its softness, it is rarely used for wands, but the pure crystals are prized by magical practitioners. Satin spar, thanks for the fibrous structure, is adept at directing spells at a precise location—and even gently carving areas not affected by the spell, which might make a massive difference on a magical battlefield. Desert rose is a stone of survival: it brings rain even in the most arid landscapes and extracts water accumulated in the lungs of a drowning person.