Canadian Rockhound: Selenite

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Selenite
By Doug Miller, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Selenite, CaSO₄ · 2H₂O, is the distinct crystal form of the hydrated sulfate, gypsum. With a hardness of 2.5-3.0, selenite is not suitable for gemstones, but does make attractive specimens. Very fine grained gypsum is called alabaster and is a prized carving material. A well known selenite locality is the Red River floodway near Winnipeg.
Selenite has been found at several locations in southern Saskatchewan. Individual selenite crystals up to 12 cm have been found in exposed shales in the valley of Frenchman River, Swift Current Creek, Rush Lake Creek, Belanger Creek, Woodpile Creek, Battle Creek, and the north shore of Cypress Lake. At Rush Lake, they occur as radiating crystals encrusting large aeronaceous nodules.
Selenite crystals have also been associated with the lignite beds in the vicinity of Porcupine Creek, near the Canada/US border.

Copyright ©1996 Doug Miller
E-mail: mildg@sk.sympatico.ca
This article may not be copied, distributed or reprinted in any form without the author's permission. To contact the author, please use the e-mail address provided. If you are unable to contact the author, please contact the Canadian Rockhound. Authorized reprints must acknowledge the author, original source and the Canadian Rockhound, and include the website URL address of the Canadian Rockhound.
The preceding article was first published in the December 1996 issue of the Saskatoon Lapidary & Mineral Club Newsletter. Reprinted in the Canadian Rockhound with permission.

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Document Number: win97_selenite