Gypsum ("Desert Rose")

Item Description

A classic example from the north-central African desert of the famous "desert rose" specimens featuring an intergrown group of sharp, compressed tabular crystals of Gypsum containing tan colored sand particles. The piece is in good shape overall, though there are some contacts. The largest crystal measures about 1.7 cm across. I actually purchased this piece in a small parcel directly from the man who mined it in Algeria. I was fortunate to have a bit more specific locality than "Sahara Desert" which is often the only information given for where these pieces are found.