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Gypsum flower, Jewel Cave National Monument, 2014.

Four oft-confused varieties of the mineral gypsum include selenite, satin spar, desert rose and gypsum flower. All four show obvious crystalline structure. All varieties of gypsum are composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (i.e., dihydrate, meaning two water molecules). Differentiate desert roses from gypsum flowers; desert roses look most like roses whereas gypsum flowers form a myriad of shapes.

U.S. National Park Service

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Jewel Cave National Monument, Code: JECA

National Park Service Facebook Photos

Title: Jewel Cave National Monument
URL: https://www.facebook.com/JewelCaveNPS

20140911

09/11/2014

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Organization: Jewel Cave National Monument
Address: 11149 US Hwy 16, Building B12, Custer, SD 57730

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