Gypsum stone – properties, virtues & benefits

Gypsum stone is a natural mineral composed of hydrated calcium sulfate, widely used in construction, crafts and agriculture. Discover its unique properties and multiple applications.

GYPSUM CHARACTERISTICS

• Chakra: Throat.
• Properties: Protection, purification, harmonization.
• Astrology: Moon.
• Zodiac: Cancer, Pisces.
• Elements: Water, Earth.
• Colors: White, gray, colorless.
• Hardness: 2 (Mohs scale).
• Chemical Formula: CaSO4-2H2O.
• Associated god: Selene (Greek goddess of the Moon).

GYPSE – HIS HISTORY

Gypsum, also known as plaster stone, derives its name from the neuter Latin “gypsum” and the Greek “gypsos”. The term referred to chalk, plaster, plaster stone or, more generally, cement. Since the late 1st and early 2nd centuries, it has been used to create statues and portraits. In antiquity, the purest crystals were used to make glass. Giant crystals were cut into thin slabs large enough for this purpose.

NEOLITHICS

Gypsum stone has been discovered at an archaeological site in Turkey and used since around 7000 BC. Traces of this stone were found in the materials used to create paintings and murals in a small Turkish village. In combination with lime, it was used to create supports for these paintings.

GYPSIS IN ANCIENT EGYPT

Gypsite stone was first used in ancient Egypt, as shown by the remains that have been discovered. Statues from this period, plaster-coated and painted sphinxes have been found. This stone was also used as a painting medium inside pyramid tombs. It was even used in the construction of the pyramids themselves, where it was used as a cement between the stones to seal them, mixed with fine sand. This gypsite-based binder was also used in the construction of monumental tombs. Its great usefulness and capabilities were detected and put to good use in the construction of these gigantic structures.

GRECO-ROMAIC PERIOD

Egyptian archaeologists recently discovered a mummy from the Greco-Roman period in an ancient cemetery at the Bahariya site. She was in a sarcophagus made of gypsite and surrounded by funerary masks made of gypsite and stucco. In Greco-Roman times, gypsum stone was commonly used to make funerary masks. It was also used in construction, notably for plastering, sealing, rendering, facing and gypsite molding.

BYZANTIN ART

Byzantine art developed in the footsteps of Roman art, which in turn had been influenced by Greek art. Throughout these evolutions and progressions, gypsum stone continued to be used without being abandoned. Even today, it is widely used in construction. For almost 10 centuries, gypsite was used in Byzantine art, notably in plaster and stucco decorations known as “Djiss”. There are some fine examples of this type of decoration, such as the great Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain, the Zahra palace, also in Spain, and the Echbatane mosque in Iran. These works of art made from gypsite are known as “Gypserie”. Plaster remains can still be seen today in Persia, Mesopotamia and Iran.

GYPSE STONE OR PLASTER THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF FRANCE

Gypsum stone has been used in France since the late Middle Ages, as evidenced by finds in the Paris region and the South. It is widely used in Parisian architecture, where it is nicknamed “White Gold”, due to its high proportion in plaster production. It has been used to make seals, tiles, columns, decorations and moldings since the 1st century. Plaster replaced cob until the Middle Ages, providing a genuine masonry material. It is used for wall rendering with lime and for making ceilings with wooden structures.

By the 14th century, nearly 20 plaster stone quarries had been identified in the Paris region, ensuring the extraction, manufacture, transport and trade of plaster. Some streets and squares still bear the name “blanche” in reference to gypsum stone. In the 16th century, plaster was used in architecture and interior decoration. At the end of the 17th century, plaster became widely used as a fireproofing material for houses made mainly of wood, following a fire. In the South of France, houses were plastered with plaster and lime. The words “gif”, “gist” and “gip” appear in the early 13th century in the French language to name plaster and Gypse stone.

In the Middle Ages, the name for Gypse stone evolved from the Latin “gips” to “Gypse” in French. In English, the stone is still called “gypsum”, as in its origins. The adjective “Gypseux” appeared at the end of the 16th century. Plaster craftsmen called plaster stone “moonstone” because certain transparent varieties of gypsite reminded them of the image of the Moon, which is mainly made of this mineral. This name seems to date back to Greco-Roman times, when the Greek word for Moon – Selene – was another name for gypsum stone. The term “selenite” is used to designate minerals, rocks and formations based on calcium sulfate, such as anhydrite. Later, the term gypsum was used to designate only the crystalline form of plaster stone, abandoning all other forms of calcium sulfate rock. In the use of plaster stone for construction, it was important to differentiate gypsum stone from raw plaster, live plaster and revival plaster, as well as from dead plaster, which has no setting power. In the late 18th century, chemists studying plaster of Paris in France officially referred to it as “hemihydrate” and to Gypsum as “calcium sulfate dihydrate.”

GYPSE STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

Gypsum stone is formed by the evaporation of seawater highly charged with mineral salts, but its origin would not be marine. The sulfates would come from a deposit in eastern France before being deposited in the sea by the erosion of surface water. The chemical formula of this soft, saline, fully mineralized rock is composed mainly of the mineral gypsum (CaSO4-2H2O), also known as “doubly hydrated calcium sulfate”. Gypsum stone has a hardness rating of 1.5 to 2 on the Mohs scale, but some large, prism-shaped crystals can reach a hardness of 3. Gypsite was originally used as a reference for the Mohs scale grade of 2. It can be easily scratched with a fingernail, which distinguishes it from harder limestone. The pure mineral is light and the crystalline parts of the rock are vitreous, translucent, pearly or silky, and are visible when the solid part of the mineral is uncolored or very lightly colored.

Gypsum stone presents a multitude of very different varieties due to the many aspects of its multiple crystals. Most of the varieties encountered in the rock are microcrystalline, with small dense or intermingled crystals, known as habitus varieties. These varieties include:

Gypsum stone is a soft, saline rock, formed by the evaporation of seawater rich in mineral salts. However, some specialists believe that the sulfates of which it is composed originated from a deposit in eastern France, and were carried by surface waters to the sea. The chemical formula of plaster stone is CaSO4 – 2H2O, or doubly hydrated calcium sulfate. It has a hardness of 1.5 to 2 on the Mohs scale, although very large prism-shaped crystals can reach a hardness of 3. Crystals of this stone can take a wide variety of shapes, such as lamellar, fibrous, alabaster, ram’s horn, spathic, saccharoid and many others. The commercially available variety is composed of dense, compact masses of crystals with a low calcareous content. Because of the multitude of crystal varieties this rock can contain, it can be difficult to distinguish visually from other rock types such as limestone.

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Gypsum can come in various forms, notably in conglomerates known as “rose des sables”, found notably in Tunisia. Another interesting variety is gypsum onyx, characterized by a regular organization of crystals. Alabaster, which owes its name to its whiteness, is one of the hardest and most prized varieties. Sculptors and artists frequently used it for its softness, enabling precise, detailed carving. However, alabaster lost its transparency and solidity when exposed to fire, and became simple plaster.

GYPSUM STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES

PSYCHOLOGICAL GYPSIS

Gypsum stone is known for its softness, which brings great inner serenity. It is associated with the third eye and heart chakras, and soothes, relaxes and calms the nervous system. It is particularly suitable for people seeking to relieve stress and regain self-confidence. It can be placed in a bedroom to promote deep, restful sleep, or in a living room to interact with the general atmosphere and people present. If placed on the frontal chakra, it encourages open-mindedness and the development of creativity. It can also help develop the capacity for telepathy and encourage the elevation of the sPirit for those who are sensitive to it.

Plaster stone, known as gypsum, is a soft, gentle stone that can bring great inner serenity. It has gentle, calming energies and is beneficial for the frontal or third eye chakra and the heart chakra. It can help calm the nervous system and eliminate useless, destructive thoughts. It also brings great self-confidence and can be placed in a bedroom to promote deep sleep. In addition, it can be used for meditation and mindfulness, as well as to help overcome unconscious blockages and discomforts. Due to its connection with the Moon, it can help develop intuition and receptivity, and is also beneficial for detoxification and inner and mental purification.

Gypsum is a soft, gentle stone that can bring calm and inner serenity. It is associated with the frontal and heart chakras, and can calm the nervous system. The stone is recommended for people who need to manage stress and calm the mind. It can also aid meditation and mindfulness, clarifying thoughts and generating emotional releases. During pregnancy, it can bring peace and serenity, and is beneficial for breastfeeding and infantile fevers. Because of its intimate relationship with the lunar star, it is known for its ability to develop telepathy in those who are sensitive to it. Gypsum stone is also a purifying stone, detoxifying and purifying the mind and body. It is recommended for sensitive and creative people, as well as for those in need of refocusing. In short, Gypsum stone can be a great help for stress management and inner cleansing, as well as for personal development and creativity.

GYPSIS ON THE PHYSICAL LEVEL

Gypsum is a stone formed by the evaporation of seawater containing mineral salts, although it may have a non-marine origin. Its chemical formula is mainly composed of doubly hydrated calcium sulfate, and it has a hardness of 1.5 to 2 on the Mohs scale. This stone is used to make plaster and comes in many varieties, such as lamellar, fibrous, alabaster, so-called  “ram’s horn” gypsum, spar and the saccharoid type.

Gypsum stone is known for its softness, which enables it to provide great inner serenity and calm the nervous system. It is particularly useful for aiding meditation and mindfulness, as well as inner and mental purification. It calms the mind, releases blockages and promotes creativity. This stone is also beneficial for physical health, contributing to good sleep, calcium absorption and bone growth. It can relieve pain, regulate menstrual cycles and strengthen the body’s internal and external tissues.

In summary, Gypsum stone is a gentle, soothing stone with many virtues for physical and mental health. It is particularly useful for sensitive people, athletes, children and pregnant women.

GYPSUM STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

To clean and refill gypsum stone, follow these steps:

1. Physical cleaning: gently remove dirt and dust with a soft brush or clean, dry cloth. Avoid water, as gypsum is soluble and may deteriorate on contact with water.
2. Energetic cleansing: to eliminate accumulated negative energies, place the gypsum stone in a bowl of salt or rice, or on an amethyst geode for several hours, or even overnight.
3. Recharging: Expose the gypsum to moonlight, preferably during a full moon, to benefit from lunar energy. Avoid direct sunlight, as it may alter the stone’s colors.
4. Programming (optional): Hold the gypsum stone in your hands and focus on your intentions or needs. Visualize positive energy flowing through the stone and imbuing it with your intentions.

Once your gypsum stone is cleaned, recharged and possibly programmed, you can use it to benefit from its energetic and sPiritual properties.

WHERE DOES THE NAME GYPSUM COME FROM?

The name “gypsum” has its origins in the ancient Greek “gypsos” (γύψος), meaning “chalk” or “plaster”. The term was adopted by the Romans as “gypsum” in Latin, before becoming “gypse” in French. The name reflects the nature of the mineral, which is widely used to make plaster and has a chalk-like texture.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES THE GYPSIS ACT ON?

Gypsum acts primarily on the throat chakra, which is the fifth chakra. This chakra is associated with communication, self-expression and creativity. By working on this chakra, gypsum can promote clarity of thought, honest expression of emotions and emotional balance.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH GYPSUM?

Gypsum is particularly associated with the astrological signs Cancer and Pisces. These signs are both ruled by the element Water, which corresponds well to the harmonizing and purifying properties of gypsum. People born under these signs can benefit from the soothing, protective energy of this stone, which helps them find emotional balance and express their emotions in a healthy way.

GYPSUM STONE SUMMARY

Gypsum stone, also known as gypsum, is a mineral composed of hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO4-2H2O). It is widely used in the construction industry and has several beneficial properties.

Origin and formation:Gypsum is generally formed by the evaporation of seawater in saline lakes and shallow seas. It can also form by direct preciPitation from underground sources of sulfate- and calcium-rich water. Gypsum deposits are found in various parts of the world, including North America, Europe and Asia.

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Properties:Gypsum is a soft, easy-to-work material, with a hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale. It is non-flammable, non-combustible and has excellent moisture resistance, making it an ideal building material for wetlands and marine environments. What’s more, gypsum is an excellent acoustic and thermal insulator.

Uses:

• Gypsum: Gypsum is commonly used to make plaster, which is used to cover interior walls and ceilings. Plaster of Paris is a type of plaster made from calcined gypsum.
• Gypsum board: gypsum board, also known as plasterboard, is used to build drywall, ceilings and interior walls.
• Cement: Gypsum is also used as an ingredient in the manufacture of cement to control setting time and improve the properties of the final product.
• Agriculture: gypsum is used as a soil improver to improve soil structure and fertility, particularly in clayey or alkaline soils.

Environment and recycling: Gypsum is an environmentally friendly material and can be recycled. Gypsum waste from demolition and construction can be crushed and reused in the manufacture of new gypsum-based products, helPing to reduce waste and environmental impact.