Choose a letter, pick a stone from the list, and read about it: what it is made of, how hard it is, what it looks like, what it has traditionally been said to do, and how to look after it.

450 minerals

Selenite

The Moon's Own White Light

Also known as: Satin Spar

About the stone

Selenite crystal — Photo: Orlando Innaurato, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Selenite and Satin Spar are both members of the Gypsum family, along with Desert Rose and Alabaster. They are almost identical in chemical composition, but visually they differ slightly. Selenite is plate-like and transparent, while Satin Spar is fibrous and milky white. True Selenite is rare & expensive, while Satin Spar is plentiful and affordable. Due to this difference, many in the crystal community have labeled Satin Spar as Selenite to sell more crystals. This has led to a commonly mislabeled mineral, and most people unaware of the switch. We have chosen to keep both names and simply give one the information to be able to differentiate for themselves. Selenite (which in this case encompasses all 4 varieties of Gypsum) was named after the Greek goddess of the moon, 'Selene', but does not contain the mineral Selenium. Gypsum crystals are usually colorless (Selenite) or milky to pearly (Satin Spar). Gypsum may also be grayish, brownish, beige, pinkish, yellowish to light red and green. The colors are caused by inclusions of other minerals.

Mineral data

Chemical composition: Selenite is the clear, plate-like form of gypsum, a hydrated calcium sulfate with the formula CaSO₄.2H₂O. Despite its name it contains no selenium.
Hardness: 2 on the Mohs scale, very soft.
Color: Colorless to white and translucent, sometimes pearly; it can also be grayish, brownish, beige, pinkish, yellowish or green from inclusions.
Specific gravity: 2.24 - 2.30
Refractive index: 1.509-1.525

Metaphysical data

Selenite, named for the Greek moon goddess Selene and often described as white light in crystal form, has been utilized in metaphysical practices to cleanse spaces, clear other crystals and open the higher chakras.

Cleansing and Protective Energy

Selenite is considered a very strong energy cleanser, thought to remove negative energies from rooms, from the auric field and from other crystals placed near it.
It is regarded as a stone of protection and purification, and it is said never to need cleansing itself, which is why it is often used as a cleansing plate.

Emotional Healing

Selenite is believed to remove worry and untangle thoughts, helping a person step out of catastrophic thinking patterns and into a calmer view.
As a stone of harmony and soul healing, it is thought to bring a quiet peace to the heart and to support decisions made with a clear head.

Harmonizing Energy Centers

Selenite is associated with the third eye chakra, where it is believed to enhance intuition, visions and the clarity needed to see situations as they are.
It is also linked with the crown and etheric chakras, supporting a feeling of connection with spirit guides and the higher, more spacious layers of awareness.

Zodiac Associations

Selenite is traditionally associated with the signs of Cancer and Gemini, fitting for a stone named for the Moon, which Cancer is said to love.
It vibrates to the number 8, linked with balance, strength and the flow of energy, which suits a stone believed to amplify the energy of other crystals.

Spiritual Growth

Selenite is symbolically considered to be white light encapsulated in crystal form, and it is often used in meditation to invite a sense of spiritual clarity.
It is believed to enhance dreams and to clarify messages from spirit guides, and it is thought to positively charge and amplify other crystals in a grid.

Physical Healing

Crystals are a traditional wellness practice and not a substitute for professional medical advice, so please see a qualified professional for any concern with your spine or skin.
In crystal tradition Selenite is said to help align the spine and to give skin, hair and nails a youthful glow, along with easing worry from the mind.

Care and handling

Selenite is very soft, at about 2 on the Mohs scale, and it dissolves slowly in water, so never soak it, wash it or leave it in a damp room. Wipe gently with a dry cloth. It scratches easily and splits along its cleavage, so handle plates and towers with care and keep them on a stable surface. Avoid humidity, heat and harsh cleaners, and store pieces separately from harder stones. It needs no energetic cleansing according to tradition.

Individual experiences with Selenite vary, and its qualities are traditional beliefs rather than proven facts. Many crystals sold as Selenite are actually Satin Spar, so look for clear, plate-like pieces and use this serene white stone mindfully and with care.