A wet gypsum accelerator comprising particles of calcium sulfate dihydrate, water, and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of (i) an organic phosphonic compound, (ii) a phosphate-containing compound, or (iii) a mixture of (i) and (ii), is disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of preparing a wet gypsum accelerator, a method of hydrating calcined gypsum to form an interlocking matrix of set gypsum, a set gypsum-containing composition, and a set gypsum-containing product.