Glauberite
Image: Robert M. Lavinsky (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameGlauberite
Chemical FormulaNa₂Ca(SO₄)₂
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect on {110}, distinct on {001}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.7
Colorscolorless, white, gray, yellowish, reddish-brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBertram Mine (Bertram Siding Sulfate deposit; Bertram Sodium Sulphate deposits), Bertram siding, Imperial County, California, USA
Mineral Groupsulfates
Usesindustrial (source of sodium sulfate), collector
Associated Mineralshalite, gypsum, polyhalite, thenardite, mirabilite, celestine
Rarityuncommon
Description
The image displays a cluster of pale, translucent, tabular glauberite crystals. Glauberite typically forms tabular to prismatic crystals, often colorless to white or yellowish.
Geological Context
Glauberite is an evaporite mineral, commonly found in saline lakes, playas, and marine evaporite deposits. It forms in arid environments through the evaporation of water, concentrating dissolved salts.
