Does anyone know what this sand or rock thing is

[Elijah P]

So my grandpa passed away he was a huge rock and mineral guy and he purchased this in 1999 in auction and I dont know what it is or where to get it appraised or where to sell it. Its huge its like 30in wide by 14in tall.

 

[Red-Coat]

Welcome to Tnet.

It looks to be a large specimen of a 'desert rose'. These are natural concretions of sand, usually cemented with gypsum or baryte, forming bladed or flower-like forms.

Desert rose (crystal) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yours is unusually large and would likely be desirable to a collector. I would think it might fetch several hundred dollars in the right auction, but the negative for a prospective purchaser is that you don't have a find location.

 

[k0bgalan]

Funny this should show up on TreasureNet. A couple of days ago, while watching a YouTube vid, in the foreground were several Desert Rose formations, a few of which were trod upon. Too bad the presenter didn't know what they were worth to collectors.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Red Coat is correct, it is called desert rose, also called selenite rose.

FYI, Help Forum is strictly for help for site software issues, thread moved.

 

[fuss]

So my grandpa passed away he was a huge rock and mineral guy and he purchased this in 1999 in auction and I dont know what it is or where to get it appraised or where to sell it. Its huge its like 30in wide by 14in tall.

Gypsum! and an incredible specimen being that large! The form is called desert rose as it formed in.....a desert...and the crystals resemble rose petals. Wonderful specimen and if you have the label with where it is from originally that will help you with an appraisal. Could be from Chihuahua, Mexico, Morocco or other possible African countries..even Oklahoma is possible.