Halite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameHalite
Chemical FormulaNaCl
Mohs Hardness2
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect cubic on {001}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.16
Colorscolorless, white, gray, yellow, red, blue, purple
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityWieliczka Salt Mine, Wieliczka, Małopolskie, Poland
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesfood additive, de-icing agent, chemical industry, water softening, preservative, collector
Associated Mineralsgypsum, anhydrite, sylvite, carnallite
Raritycommon
Description
A large, blocky specimen of halite displaying numerous interlocking cubic crystals, ranging in color from translucent gray to brownish-white. The stepped growth patterns on the crystal faces are clearly visible, indicating successive layers of growth.
Geological Context
Halite is an evaporite mineral that forms from the evaporation of saline water, typically in arid environments such as playas, sabkhas, and restricted marine basins. It is a primary component of rock salt deposits.
