Can my Selenite Go in Water?

If you don't believe us just take a look at the videos below! This goes for Satin Spar and True Selenite.

@omearthcrystals Reply to @buttsweatblaney 😶‍🌫️ what do you mean? This is how they grow 🤫 #omearthcrystals ♬ original sound - OmEarthCrystals

@omearthcrystals Reply to @uglythingsonlineshopping Let's test that assumption shall we? #omearthcrystals ♬ original sound - TIFF STUDIOS

Honestly, I'm not sure where the myth about “ites” and water came from but while it's not 100% true its also not untrue as well.

While selenite will not disappear instantly in water it will slowly dissolve as it sits in running water such as a stream or a tank.

 

True selenite and Satin spar are a crystallized form of gypsum. They are both chemically represented as CaSO₄·2H₂O. The only difference between the 2 crystals are their crystalline structure, that however is a topic for another day.

 

They will often form in evaporative environments, (think shallow seas) resulting in a soft, fibrous structure and usually with remarkable clarity.

Unlike other minerals that may be more durable, Selenite is relatively soft, ranking about 2 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it vulnerable to scratching and breakage. This relative softness is where we believe the misconception of selenite dissolving in water comes from. A low number on the Mohs scale doesn't necessarily relate to solubility in water. And this needs to be taken on a case by case basis. 

For example, halite has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and will dissolve almost instantly while selenite has with a hardness of 2 will take quite a bit longer, and calcites with a hardness of 3 won't (they prefer acid).

If you want a piece of your own true Selenite check out the links below, where we have all the selenite you could ever dream of!