Anhydrite and Gypsum Physical Properties

Anhydrite

Gypsum

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Physical Properties

Tenacity

Solubility

Durability

Specific Gravity

Fracture

Cleavage

Mohs Hardness

Chemical Composition

Brittle

2.90-2.98

Conchoidal

Rare tabular and prismatic crystals. Usually occurs as fibrous, parallel veins that break off into cleavage fragments.

3.5

CaSO 4Michael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth edition (2006) More from other references

Flexible

Soluble

2.20-2.40

Conchoidal, Splintery, Fibrous

Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100}

CaSO 4 -2(H 2O)Arthur Thomas , Gemstones (2009)

Anhydrite and Gypsum Chemical Formula

While comparing Anhydrite and Gypsum physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Anhydrite and Gypsum chemical formula.

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Anhydrite and Gypsum Specific Gravity

Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Anhydrite and Gypsum Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Anhydrite Vs Gypsum during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Anhydrite is whereas that of Gypsum is .