Gypsum vs. Lime — What's the Difference?

Used for drywall and plasterboard.

Material derived from calcined limestone.

Improves soil structure in agriculture.

Used to adjust soil pH in agriculture.

A key ingredient in plaster of Paris.

Essential in water treatment processes.

A mineral composed of calcium sulfate.

Reactive with water, producing heat.

Soft, white or colorless mineral.

A white caustic alkaline substance consisting of calcium oxide, which is obtained by heating limestone and which combines with water with the production of much heat; quicklime.

Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is widely mined and is used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, blackboard/sidewalk chalk, and drywall. A massive fine-grained white or lightly tinted variety of gypsum, called alabaster, has been used for sculpture by many cultures including Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire, and the Nottingham alabasters of Medieval England.

Birdlime.

A widespread colorless, white, or yellowish mineral, CaSO4·2H2O, used in the manufacture of plaster of Paris, various plaster products, and fertilizers.

A rounded citrus fruit similar to a lemon but greener, smaller, and with a distinctive acid flavour

A mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulphate. When calcinated, it forms plaster of Paris.

The evergreen citrus tree which produces limes, widely cultivated in warm climates.

A mineral consisting of the hydrous sulphate of lime (calcium). When calcined, it forms plaster of Paris. Selenite is a transparent, crystalline variety; alabaster, a fine, white, massive variety.

A bright light green colour like that of a lime

A common white or colorless mineral (hydrated calcium sulphate) used to make cements and plasters (especially plaster of Paris)

A deciduous tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellowish blossom, native to north temperate regions. The pale timber is used for carving and inexpensive furniture.

An informal social gathering characterized by semi-ritualized talking.

Treat (soil or water) with lime to reduce acidity and improve fertility or oxygen levels

Catch (a bird) with birdlime

Sit or stand around talking with others

Any of several evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus having edible green or greenish-yellow fruit, especially the Mexican lime and the Persian lime.

The fruit of any of these plants, having a pulpy interior and usually acid juice.

See linden.

See calcium oxide.

Any of various mineral and industrial forms of calcium oxide differing chiefly in water content and percentage of constituents such as magnesia, silica, alumina, and iron.

Birdlime.

To treat with lime.

To smear with birdlime.

To catch or snare with or as if with birdlime.

(chemistry) Any inorganic material containing calcium, usually calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).

(poetic) Any gluey or adhesive substance; something which traps or captures someone; sometimes a synonym for birdlime.

(theatre) A spotlight.

A deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, especially Tilia × europaea; the linden tree.

The wood of this tree.

Any of several green citrus fruit, somewhat smaller and sharper-tasting than a lemon.

Any of the trees that bear limes, especially Key lime, Citrus aurantiifolia.

(uncountable) A brilliant, sometimes yellowish, green colour associated with the fruits of a lime tree.

(fandom) A fan fiction story which contains sexual references, but stops short of full, explicit descriptions of sexual activity (coined by analogy with lemon).

A casual gathering to socialize.

(transitive) To treat with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide (lime).

(transitive) To smear with birdlime.

(rare) To ensnare, catch, entrap.

(transitive) To apply limewash.

To hang out/socialize in an informal, relaxed environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach.

Containing lime or lime juice.

Having the aroma or flavor of lime.

Lime-green.

A thong by which a dog is led; a leash.

The linden tree. See Linden.

The fruit of the Citrus aurantifolia, allied to the lemon, but greener in color; also, the tree which bears it.

The color of the lime{1}, a yellowish-green.

Birdlime.

Oxide of calcium, CaO; the white or gray, caustic substance, usually called quicklime, obtained by calcining limestone or shells, the heat driving off carbon dioxide and leaving lime. It develops great heat when treated with water, forming slaked lime, and is an essential ingredient of cement, plastering, mortar, etc.

To smear with a viscous substance, as birdlime.

To entangle; to insnare.

To treat with lime, or oxide or hydrate of calcium; to manure with lime; as, to lime hides for removing the hair; to lime sails in order to whiten them; to lime the lawn to decrease acidity of the soil.

To cement.

Having a yellowish-green color like that of the lime (the fruit).

A caustic substance produced by heating limestone

A white crystalline oxide used in the production of calcium hydroxide

A sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds

Any of various related trees bearing limes

Any of various deciduous trees of the genus Tilia with heart-shaped leaves and drooping cymose clusters of yellowish often fragrant flowers; several yield valuable timber

The green acidic fruit of any of various lime trees

Spread birdlime on branches to catch birds

Cover with lime so as to induce growth;

Comes in forms like quicklime and hydrated lime.

No, it needs to be processed by heating limestone.

Generally, no. It's beneficial for soil health.

Not directly, but it's an ingredient in some cement mixtures.

Yes, in manufacturing, agriculture, and food processing.

Not significantly, unlike lime.

Yes, when used appropriately, it's safe and beneficial.

Yes, food-grade lime is used in certain culinary applications.

Indirectly, by improving soil conditions for plant growth.

No, it's also used in agriculture and other industries.

It primarily neutralizes acidity, not always making it alkaline.

Yes, but for different purposes: gypsum for structure, lime for pH.

Gypsum is, while lime is derived from natural limestone.

Yes, especially historically in lime plaster.

Yes, it forms crystals in nature.

Yes, in water treatment and flue gas desulfurization.