PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Sulfates
- COMPOSITION CaSO4·2H2O
- COLOR Colourless, white, light brown, yellow, pink
- CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM Monoclinic
- CRYSTALLINE HABIT From prismatic to tabular
- HARDNESS 2
- FRACTURE Splintering
- EXFOLIATION Perfect
- GLOSS Pearly subvitreous
- STRIP White
- TRANSPARENCY From transparent to translucent
- SPECIFIC GRAVITY 2.3
- REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.52 - 1.53
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Selenite is the name given to transparent gypsum crystals. Its name comes from the Greek "selene", which means "moon".
Selenite is a white hydrated calcium sulfate, although it can sometimes have gray or yellow tones due to the impurities it may contain. Crystals are usually tabular blocks made up of elongated parallel plates. It can also form twins, fibrous crystals or a radial shape (desert rose).
The selenite appears in clays and marls, in saline deposits and in metalliferous deposits.
Deposits: United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Germany, Spain, France, England, Italy and Morocco.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
The selenite symbolizes spiritual purity. It instills deep peace and is recommended for meditation. It is considered a stone for the expansion of consciousness and for activating higher energy centers, such as the crown chakra. Selenite helps calm the mind and promotes clarity and lucidity.
