thumb|Saharan gypsum desert rose from Tunisia (length 47 cm)
thumb|Baryte rose from [[Cleveland County, Oklahoma (size: 10.2 × 7.1 × 5.5 cm)]]
thumb|upright|Large desert rose formation in the Tunisian desert
A desert rose, sand rose, Sahara rose, rose rock, selenite rose, gypsum rose, or baryte rose is an intricate rose-like formation of crystal clusters of gypsum or baryte, which include abundant sand grains. The "petals" are crystals flattened on the c axis, fanning open in radiating clusters.
Description
The rosette crystal habit tends to occur when the crystals form in arid sandy conditions,
The rose rock was selected as the official rock of Oklahoma in 1968.
Size
Typically, desert roses measure from in diameter. The largest recorded by the Oklahoma Geological Survey was across and high, weighing . Clusters of rose rocks up to tall and weighing more than have been found.
See also
- National Museum of Qatar
References
External links
- Timberlake Rose Rock Museum in Noble, Oklahoma
- 3D model of a desert rose
- Sahara Desert Rose:Complete Guide