Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO. 4· 2H2O. It is widely mined and is used as a fertilizer, and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, blackboard chalk and wallboard.

The word gypsum is derived from the Greek word γύψος (gypsos), "plaster".[4] Because the quarries of the Montmartre district of Paris have long furnished burnt gypsum (calcined gypsum) used for various purposes, this dehydrated gypsum became known as plaster of Paris. Upon addition of water, after a few tens of minutes plaster of Paris becomes regular gypsum (dihydrate) again, causing the material to harden or "set" in ways that are useful for casting and construction.

Gypsum was known in Old English as spærstān, "spear stone", referring to its crystalline projections. (Thus, the word spar in mineralogy is by way of comparison to gypsum, referring to any non-ore mineral or crystal that forms in spearlike projections). Gypsum may act as a source of sulfur for plant growth, which was discovered by J. M. Mayer, and in the early 19th century, it was regarded as an almost miraculous fertilizer. American farmers were so anxious to acquire it that a lively smuggling trade with Nova Scotia evolved, resulting in the so-called "Plaster War" of 1820.[5] In the 19th century, it was also known as lime sulfate or sulfate of lime.

Category Sulfate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit) CaSO4·2H2O
Strunz classification 7.CD.40
Crystal system Monoclinic
Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)
H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space group Monoclinic
Space group: I2/a
Unit cell a = 5.679(5), b = 15.202(14)

c = 6.522(6) [Å]; β = 118.43°; Z = 4

Color Colorless to white; may be yellow, tan, blue, pink, brown, reddish brown or gray due to impurities
Crystal habit Massive, flat. Elongated and generally prismatic crystals
Twinning Very common on {110}
Cleavage Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100}
Fracture Conchoidal on {100}, splintery parallel to [001]
Tenacity Flexible, inelastic
Mohs scale hardness 1.5–2 (defining mineral for 2)
Luster Vitreous to silky, pearly, or waxy
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 2.31–2.33
Optical properties Biaxial (+)
Refractive index nα = 1.519–1.521
nβ = 1.522–1.523
nγ = 1.529–1.530
Birefringence δ = 0.010
Pleochroism None
2V angle 58°
Fusibility 5
Solubility Hot, dilute HCl

References [1][2][3].