How do you identify the mineral gypsum?

Answer 1

Gypsum can be identified by its soft texture, as it has a Mohs hardness of 2, allowing it to be scratched easily with a fingernail. It typically appears as a colorless to white mineral, but can also show shades of gray, yellow, or pink depending on impurities. Its distinctive cleavage in one direction leads to flat, sheet-like surfaces. Additionally, gypsum will produce a white streak when scratched against a porcelain tile.