Gypsum

Gypsum Dana Boor and Zach Puls Gypsum is a interesting mineral. It's chemical formula is CaSO4. This means is has 1 Calcium atom with 4 Sulfate atoms. It's hardness, according to the Mohs scale, is a 2. This means it is a soft mineral. Here is a picture of Gypsum. As you can see, the color of Gypsum is nearly colorless to white. You might also be able to tell that the luster is waxy and pearly. The streak is white. The density of Gypsum 2.3 G/ML. It's Crystal system is monoclinic. Gypsum's cleavage is perfect on {010}, distinct on {100}. It's fracture is conchoidal on {100}, splintery parallel to [001].

Gypsum has many uses. Some included the manufacturing of sheet rock, plastic products, cement, fertilizer, and soil conditioning.

Gypsum is an is found with halite, anhydrite, sulfur, calcite, and dolomite. Gypsum is the most common sulfate mineral. It is very similar to anhydrite, which makes it special. Gypsum has a low hardness.It is rarely found in the form of sand. These are why Gypsum is special.

Gypsum is a sedimentary mineral. It is found in layers that were formed under salt water millions of years ago. The water evaporated and left the minerals.

Gypsum is found in Brazil, Pakistan, Jamaica, Iran, Thailand, Spain, Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, British Columbia, and in the U.S.A. In the United states in is found in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New York, Michigan, Indiana, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, Nevada and even in Iowa.

In Iowa it is found in northern Webster county along the banks of the Des Monies River. It is also found in Des Monies county and Marion County, also near the Des Monies river.



Sources: www.webmineral.com/data/Gypsum.shtml en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsum geology.com/minerals/gypsum.shtml mii.org library.thinkquest.org