Gypsum is a rock like mineral. It is commonly available in the earth’s crust, extracted, processed and employed by people in construction or decoration in the form of plaster and alabaster. Gypsum is sulphate mineral and comprised of hydrated calcium sulphate (CaSO₄·2H₂O).

This mineral has different varieties such as well-developed crystals the mineral commonly has been called selenite and the fibrous massive variety has a silky  lustre and  is called satin spar. The satin spar is translucent and opalescent and is beneficial for ornaments and jewellery. The fine-grained massive variety is called as alabaster. It is carved and polished for statuary. It is used in ornaments when pure and translucent.   Gypsite is the earthy pulverulent variety.

Gysum is utilised in building material due to it is heat resistant, moisture preserve, sound absorbing and fire proofing material. It is widely used in ceiling and partition projects because it can be utilised as a decorative material. Building gypsum can be employed to fabricate concrete, whitewashing gypsum, high strength gypsum sticky powder, and all kinds of gypsum plates (such as thistle boards and decorative gypsum boards etc).

Gypsum’s modified in application lends itself to moulding and shaping. Gypsum has been employed by skilled craftsmen to create decorative plaster mouldings. Gypsum is also an ingredient of surgical splints, utilizing the property of coagulation, casting molds and modeling.

Gypsum has also application in the soil improvement in the form of fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is utilised to correct the compacted soil or soil with large extent of clays. It is also used to prevent excessive saline levels in soil. It has the added advantage of not affecting the pH of soil.