DESERT ROSE
The desert rose is neither soft nor fragrant. In fact, it is not a flower at all but a gypsum crystal. Do you know what gypsum is? It is a mineral used in the creation of concrete, sheet-rock and plaster of paris. In the desert, gypsum crystals are found in sand dunes. The grains of sand interfere with the growth of crystals and the result is that the crystals are formed in the shape of petals. Desert Rose gypsum is found in many locations around the world and specimens found in different places can look radically different, but all of them are without doubt delicate beauties born of the earth.