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Identity HelpGypsum locality

6th May 2019 15:57 UTCTom Mortimer Expert

I acquired several of these selenite specimens from an old collection last summer. Specimen is about six inches across.

I recall these were quite abundant at mineral shows a few decades ago. This one was likely purchased in the early '70's.

There was no locality information with these. My fuzzy recollection is that they came from the American southwest.

Looking for locality suggestions.

Tom Mortimer

6th May 2019 16:16 UTCTom Mortimer Expert

-- moved topic --

6th May 2019 17:07 UTCDonald B Peck Expert

Tom, It looks a lot like the selenite dessert roses that come from the Pitcher, OK area, but there are probably many other places where they are found.

Don

6th May 2019 23:24 UTCA. M.

From Ahumaha, Chihuahua, Mexico: https://www.mindat.org/loc-217059.html

But many other places too, as Don states...

7th May 2019 02:57 UTCDana Slaughter 🌟 Expert

Based on presumed era of acquisition, I agree that it is almost certainly from Chihuahua, Mexico.

7th May 2019 16:36 UTCSteve Hardinger 🌟 Expert

Too many possible localities to be certain: Texas, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, to name a few.

11th May 2019 02:41 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

Tom

Similar material was discussed here so I would plug for Texas (certainly south west):

https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,5,446876,447527#msg-447527

16th May 2019 01:13 UTCGregg Little 🌟

This shot is of a gypsum specimen labelled Chihuahua, Mexico (Ahumada Municipality?) that I purchased in May 1974 in one of the west coast mineral shows (probably Vancouver, BC). Similar vintage and similar habit.

16th May 2019 02:02 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

I suppose in these cases, the determined collector with perhaps too much time and money could have some of the incorporated sand evaluated for provenance... ;-)

6th Jun 2019 01:13 UTCCatherine Costello

I believe that to be considered a gypsum flower. Selenite is clear and grows in flat sheets.