Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4•2H2O). Here’s some information about gypsum:
Formation: Gypsum is commonly formed as evaporite deposits in sedimentary environments when seawater or saline lakes evaporate, leaving behind mineral deposits.
Appearance: It typically appears as transparent to translucent crystals, but it can also occur as massive or fibrous formations. Gypsum crystals can range in color from white to gray, pink, brown, or even green, depending on impurities.
Physical Properties: Gypsum has a Mohs hardness of 2, which makes it relatively soft and easily scratched. It has a specific gravity of around 2.3.
Overall, gypsum is a versatile mineral with a wide range of industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications.