The hydration of $C_3A$ and $C_3A-CaSO_4$.$2H_2O$ was investigated with varying concentration (0.1-1.0%) of sodium gluconate solution. gluconate solution. Sodium gluconate accelerates cation dissolution from $C_3A$ for the first several minutes but depresses the rate of heat evolution in the course of $C_3A$ hydration. The hydration of $C_3A$ in the presence of sodium gluconate was modified such that the formation of the intermediate hydrate C4AH$chi$ crystal was much reduced and most of the product became amorphous. The retardation of $C_3A-CaSO_4$.$2H_2O$ hydration in the presence of sodium gluconate was controlled by the competitive adsorption between gluconate anion and $SO_4^{-2}$ onto $C_3A$ surface.