Selenite Cylinder Lamp

Selenite, the beautiful variety of gypsum named for the Greek goddess of the moon, has been admired since Ancient Greek times. In 1747, J.G. Wallerius gave it its official name, "Mineralogia, eller Mineralriket". The Egyptians used it for decoration, while a 5th-century Italian church featured selenite arches in its windows. Meanwhile, near Paris, large amounts of gypsum were being used to create Plaster of Paris, and French farmers utilized raw gypsum as a soil additive.