Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
cubiccommonHalides
Halite
NaCl
This image displays a cluster of colorless to white halite crystals, exhibiting well-defined cubic forms and a vitreous luster, characteristic of rock salt.
Halite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
2.5Crystal System
cubicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect cubic (3 directions at 90 degrees)Fracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
2.16Colors
colorless, white, pink, blue, yellow, red, greyTransparency
transparentType Locality
Wieliczka Mine, Wieliczka, Małopolskie, PolandMineral Group
HalidesUses
food seasoning, de-icing agent, chemical industry, water softening, preservation, collector specimensAssociated Minerals
gypsum, anhydrite, sylvite, carnallite, polyhalite, clay mineralsRarity
commonGeological Context
Halite is an evaporite mineral, forming primarily from the evaporation of saline water bodies like seas or salt lakes, leading to extensive sedimentary deposits in arid environments.
