177 - Selenite

ID	177
Mineral	Selenite
Location	Chihuahua - Mexico
Fluorescence	LW-UV: close SW-UV: close
Mindat.org	View Selenite information at mindat.org

ID	5527
Long ID	1:1:5527:3
IMA Status	0 1
Variety of	1784
Entry type	2
Description	The name 'selenite' is mostly synonymous with gypsum but has been used historically to describe the transparent variety, as opposed to satin spar gypsum for the fibrous variety and alabaster for the fine-grained massive form. The original name was ...
Diapheny	Transparent
Colour	Colourless, light tints due to included matter
Hardness (min)	2.0
Hardness (max)	2.0
About the name	From the Greek σελήυη, for "moon," in allusion to the moon-like white reflections of the mineral or to the quality of the light transmitted by translucent gypsum slabs of cleavages used as windows.
Crystal System	Monoclinic
Fracture type	Micaceous

Selenite