mineral

Halite (Rock Salt)

Halite (NaCl)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white (can be blue or pink with impurities); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect cubic; Specific Gravity: 2.16

Hardness: 2
Color: Colorless to white (can be blue or pink with impurities)
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white (can be blue or pink with impurities); Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect cubic; Specific Gravity: 2.16

Formation & geological history

Formed through the evaporation of seawater or saline lake water in sedimentary basins, often forming thick evaporite deposits over millions of years. Most commercial deposits date from the Permian or Neogene periods.

Uses & applications

Essential for human nutrition, used for road de-icing, chemical manufacture of chlorine and sodium hydroxide, food preservation, and water softening.

Geological facts

Halite is the mineral form of common table salt. It is highly soluble in water and can create massive 'salt domes' that trap petroleum and natural gas underground.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its distinct salty taste (though not recommended for unknown minerals), cubic cleavage, and low hardness. Often found in arid regions like the Dead Sea, Salar de Uyuni, or underground mines in Poland and North America.