Halite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Phyrexian" title="User:Phyrexian">Phyrexian</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameHalite
Chemical FormulaNaCl
Mohs Hardness2
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
CleavagePerfect cubic (3 directions at 90 degrees)
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.16
Colorscolorless, white, grey, pink, blue
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityVarangéville, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesfood additive, de-icing agent, chemical industry, collector specimens
Associated Mineralsgypsum, anhydrite, sylvite, carnallite
Raritycommon
Description
A cluster of translucent to transparent, blocky cubic halite crystals, predominantly white to light grey, exhibiting sharp angles and a vitreous luster.
Geological Context
Halite forms as an evaporite mineral in arid environments where saline water bodies, such as seas or salt lakes, evaporate, leading to the precipitation of dissolved salts. It is a common component of sedimentary rock sequences.
