Can Angelite Go in Water
Angelite is a salt mineral with a pale blue color with a 3.5 hardiness on the Mohs hardness scale. However, I’m sure you want to know. Can Angelite go in water? Exposing Angelite to water affects its structural integrity causing it to crumble. We use the Mohs hardness scale to determine stones that are too soft.
Stones that rate one are the softest, while those that rate ten (Diamonds) are the hardest. Stones that rate 5 and below (including Angelite) should not be exposed to water. Angelite can crumble and revert to its original form- Gypsum.
Can Angelite Go In Water?
Why it is Called Angelite
If you are searching for Angelite and are experiencing some trouble finding it, you can try to search for it under a different name. Anhydrate. Angelite was first discovered in Peru and was renamed Angelite by members of the Crystal healing world because of its metaphysical properties.
The stone was also named Angelite because it belongs to a group of stones that have no hydration or water inside them. The name is translated to mean being without water or anhydrous.
Some believe the stone holds special powers. They believe you can use it to meditate and help you connect with your guardian angel. Angelite is also called the stone of peace or stone of angels. Most believe the stone can help eliminate anxiety, fear, and worry.
Physical Properties of Angelite
Angelite is a highly malleable stone containing Calcium Sulfate. It has a crystal structure with near-perfect symmetry. This stone is not isomorphous, meaning that it can crystalize. Its overall gravity is 2.9, and (as mentioned earlier) it rates 3.5 on the Mohs scale, which explains its high malleability.
Often, Angelite is white; however, you can also find it in different colors like purple or blue. Most people consider it a beautiful stone because of its pearly or glassy finish that occurs naturally (in most cases) and luster.
Angelite is an anhydrate that forms when Gypsum comes in contact with water. The water then evaporates and leaves anhydrous Angelite crystals. The stone is also formed from another form of Gypsum called celestite that’s been compressed over millions of years.
While the stone was originally found in Peru, it has since been found in Poland, Libya, Germany, Mexico, Britain, and Egypt. Angelite’s physical properties (except its color) make it highly soluble in water. All anhydrides are unstable and readily absorb moisture. Placing Angelite in water causes it to lose its structural integrity and crumble while reverting to its original form- Gypsum. This is an irreversible transformation.
Often Angelite is associated with other rocks like Halite, Galena, Calcite, and Pyrite; however, you can also find it with various other stones. Angelite can also be confused with other stones; however, its unique crystal structure sets it apart.
Naturally, most stones are harder than Angelite and can be placed in water. However, it would be best if you did this within short periods.
How is Angelite Formed?
Angelite is formed when Gypsum comes into contact with water, which later evaporates. Gypsum is a softer mineral that ranks lower than Angelite on the Mohs hardness scale. Its hardness is close to 2 on the Mohs scale.
Gypsum is a dihydrate that contains calcium, while Angelite is an anhydrate. Gypsum has many uses, including making fertilizer, sheetrock, and drywall. It’s also used to manufacture plaster and chalk for writing on chalkboards.
Gypsum can be ground into fine grain, mixed with other materials like water, and used for several purposes. People used the material to make sculptures in various early civilizations like Mesopotamia, Medieval England, Rome, and Egypt.
Gypsum’s chemical composition changes when its water evaporates, leaving the bonds stronger than they were before. The mineral crystallizes to form Angelite. Angelite was first discovered near Hall in Tirol, Peru, in 1794.
Angelite is often found in deeper places than Gypsum is. This makes more sense because water is often present in higher strata. Additionally, the high temperatures and extra pressure applied by above-ground forces gypsum deposits to lose water and crystalize to form Angelite.
Angelite turns to Gypsum when exposed to water. However, altering the water with Potassium Chloride or Sodium Chloride (salt) increases the water’s hardness. Adding the water to Gypsum affects its structural integrity, especially when you increase the temperature.
Artisans and manufacturers use this process to create Angelite properties that last long periods. Angelite may lose its integrity when exposed to water for long periods; however, it still has a high-enough hardness level to sustain its integrity when cared for properly.
Adding special chemicals to Angelite alters its structure to make it stronger. This isn’t an entirely artificial process. Instances where heat and sodium chloride mix and alter Angelite’s structural composition making it harder, often happen in salt mines.
This is why Angelite is commonly found in basins and salt mines. Angelite’s origin can be described as a natural occurrence resulting from a chemical reaction between environmental chemicals, water, and Gypsum.
Care of Angelite Crystal
You should not put Angelite in water if you want it to maintain its structural integrity. Doing so will result in the mineral turning to Gypsum. However, there are other ways to clean it.
You don’t have to keep the mineral perfectly clean. Instead, you can polish it using a dry and soft cloth to keep it clean and shiny. You should protect it from the elements and prevent it from damage and scratches.
Remember, Angelite is quite fragile because of its high malleability. Thus, it would be best to take extra precautions to ensure you don’t crash it. You can do this by storing it away from other minerals and objects that may crush it.
You can store it by keeping it in a soft bag or sock you don’t use anymore. Any soft material can still work if you don’t have either material. Be sure to take it off when swimming or showering and store it in a dry and cool place when you aren’t using it.
