Halite
Image: <p><a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kameraprojekt_Graz_2015" title="User:Kameraprojekt Graz 2015">Kameraprojekt Graz 2015</a> </p> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameHalite
Chemical FormulaNaCl
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect cubic (three directions at 90 degrees)
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.16
Colorspink, orange, white, colorless, yellow, red, blue, purple, grey
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityKhewra Salt Mine (Pakistan), Stassfurt (Germany), Wieliczka (Poland)
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesfood additive, de-icing roads, chemical industry, water softening, animal feed, decorative lamps
Associated Mineralsgypsum, anhydrite, sylvite, carnallite, polyhalite, clay minerals
Raritycommon
Description
This image displays a roughly blocky specimen of pinkish-orange rock salt, exhibiting a granular texture and some visible cleavage planes. The material is translucent, allowing some light to pass through.
Geological Context
Halite forms primarily as an evaporite mineral, precipitating from the evaporation of saline water bodies such as seas or lakes in arid environments. It can accumulate in vast sedimentary deposits, often interbedded with other evaporite minerals.
