Judging quality
Look for even pale blue with white marbling and a smooth polish. Bright electric blue material is dyed.
Sulfate
Angelite (Anhydrite)
Blue anhydrite — gypsum without its water. Left damp long enough it will slowly reabsorb water and revert toward gypsum.
Care
Water-reactive and soft. Never soak; dust dry only.
History & lore
Anhydrite forms in evaporating lagoons and is a common companion to salt and gypsum in ancient sea beds.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Angelite (Anhydrite)
- What is Angelite (Anhydrite)?
- Blue anhydrite — gypsum without its water. Left damp long enough it will slowly reabsorb water and revert toward gypsum.
- How hard is Angelite (Anhydrite) and what is it made of?
- Angelite (Anhydrite) is a Sulfate-family mineral with the composition CaSO4. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and rates 3.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in pale blue, grey.
- Where does Angelite (Anhydrite) come from?
- Notable localities for Angelite (Anhydrite) include Peru, Mexico, Poland.
- How do you tell good Angelite (Anhydrite) from filler?
- Look for even pale blue with white marbling and a smooth polish. Bright electric blue material is dyed.
- How do you care for Angelite (Anhydrite)?
- Water-reactive and soft. Never soak; dust dry only.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.