Desert rose
From Freepedia
- This article is about the mineral formation. For the plant, see Desert Rose (plant).
Desert rose is the colloquial name given to rosette formations of the minerals gypsum and barite with sand inclusions.
The rosette crystal habit tends to occur when the crystals form in arid sandy conditions, such as the evaporation of a shallow salt basin. Gypsum roses usually have better defined, sharper edges than barite roses.
The desert rose may also be known by the names:
- sand rose
- rose rock
- selenite rose
- gypsum rose
- barite rose
Pictures of desert roses from Büdingen, Hesse, Germany
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