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Selenite, satin spar, desert rose, and gypsum flower are crystal habit varieties of the mineral gypsum.. All varieties of gypsum, including selenite and alabaster, are composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (meaning that it has two molecules of water), with the chemical formula CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O. Selenite contains no selenium, the similar names both derive from Greek selḗnē (σελήνη 'Moon').
Selenite "sword", 22.6 by 2.6 by 1.6 centimetres (8.90 in × 1.02 in × 0.63 in). A small version of the giant crystals, likely found in a natural cavity in the mine. A scientific team coordinated by Paolo Forti, specialist of cave minerals and crystallographer at the University of Bologna (Italy), explored the cave in detail in 2006.
The Cave of the Crystals is a cave approximately 300 m (1,000 ft) below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine, about 109-metre (358 ft) long, with a volume of 5,000 to 6,000 cubic metres (180,000 to 210,000 cu ft). [7] The chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found.
Gypsum occurs in nature as flattened and often twinned crystals, and transparent, cleavable masses called selenite. Selenite contains no significant selenium; rather, both substances were named for the ancient Greek word for the Moon. Selenite may also occur in a silky, fibrous form, in which case it is commonly called "satin spar".
It occupies a space of 10.7 cubic metres (380 cu ft), measuring 8 by 1.8 metres (26.2 by 5.9 ft) with an average height of 1.7 metres (5 ft 7 in), and is located at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft) in the Pilar de Jaravía mine, in the Sierra del Aguilón, in the municipality of Pulpí, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the coast.
Leaders of states in the U.S. which have significant mineral deposits often create a state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone to promote interest in their natural resources, history, tourism, etc.
The show cave operator refers to the facility as a show mine. [12] It is important to note that the high visitor attraction is largely attributed to the presence of the natural crystal grotto. [6] [7] [8] [4] [9] In technical literature, the facility is referred to as both a mine and a show cave. [13]
Demesmaekerite is a rare uranium selenite mineral with the chemical formula: Pb 2 Cu 5 (UO 2) 2 (SeO 3) 6 (OH) 6 ·2H 2 O. . It is named after the Belgian mineralogist Gaston Demesmaeker, who worked at the Musonoi Mine in Katanga.