Metaphysical Mondays: Selenite Vs. Satin Spar

Welcome to our very first Metaphysical Monday post! These will be weekly posts where we pick one stone or crystal and give you some interesting facts or information about it. So, let’s get started.

This week we are talking about Selenite. Now, that being said, when you see “selenite” in stores you will always see one of two things; Satin Spar or Selenite (True Selenite). Many will argue that they are not the same when it comes to metaphysical properties but we would like to disagree.

Background

There is a HUGE debate in the crystal and metaphysical community about if these are in fact the same or not. Let’s start by talking about what stone family they come from.

Both Satin Spar and Selenite are a part of the Gypsum family. Gypsum occurs on every continent and is the most common of all the sulfate minerals (Selenite, 2021). The term gypsum is from the Greek, “gypsos” – plaster, hinting to its modern day use as drywall. Both of these crystals have the same chemical formula, CaSO₄ · 2H₂O.

What makes these two crystals so different is the crystalline structure and how it grows.

Satin Spar is a fibrous stone that is made up of thousands of tiny gypsum crystals that are all lined parallel to one another. Typically it is a bright white with a cat’s eye effect but can also be gray, brown, beige, orange, pink, yellow, light red, and green depending on the minerals that grew along with or around it (Selenite, 2021). Contrary to popular belief, this stone will not dissolve if it touches water or if you wash it under running water. We actually started an experiment here in our store to prove that.

These pieces of satin spar have been in this same water since January 20th, 2021. We are not saying that over a time period of many years they will not shrink in size or that running water will not reduce their size. We are simply saying that you do not need to panic about getting your satin spar wet. Carvers use wet saws and other tools under water to carve the stones into beautiful shapes such as hearts and wands.

Selenite is transparent and colorless that is often much more delicate. It forms in sheets that are known to separate, hence why it can be a fragile specimen. The name “Selenite” is actually a derivative of a Greek work for moon rock (Gypsum – Metaphysical Healing Properties, 2021).

Here are a few other types of gypsum that are often mistakenly called “Selenite” but in fact are not.

Desert Rose

Gypsum Flowers

Metaphysical Properties

Now, as you have seen, the crystal formations vary drastically but the chemical formulas are in fact identical. Therefor, the metaphysical properties are the same. However, I will mention that in our personal experience the selenite does tend to feel a bit stronger than the satin spar.

Selenite is one of the only stones that does not hold negative energy so it does not need to be cleansed. It actually cleanses and charges the other crystals you put around it. We always keep it with any crystal grid we create to keep that energy clean. You can also keep one with your runes or tarot deck to ensure the energy around them stays positive.

This crystal, knowing it’s name origins, has a strong connection the Selene, the Greek Goddess of the moon. The Roman equivalent is Luna. So, this is a wonderful stone to work with any light moon Goddess.

Although this stone is a high vibration stone that tends to excite one and bring in energy, for some, including myself, it may bring peace and calm.

Selenite clears etheric blockages and debris, which allows a more free flow of energy through the higher chakras. That flow in higher chakras creates a connection with spirit guides and communion with the Higher Self.

Selenite brings mental clarity, clears confusion, and reveals the bigger picture behind any problem. It can also be used to strengthen the memory.

1. Chemeurope.com. 2021. Selenite. [online] Available at: <https://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Selenite.html> [Accessed 18 February 2021].
2. CRYSTALS & HOLISTIC HEALING. 2021. Gypsum – Metaphysical Healing Properties. [online] Available at: <https://www.healingwithcrystals.net.au/gypsum.html> [Accessed 18 February 2021].