mineral

Halite (Rock Salt)

Halite (Sodium Chloride, NaCl)

Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white (can be pink or blue with impurities); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect cubic; Specific Gravity: 2.17

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

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2-2.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to white (can be pink or blue with impurities); Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect cubic; Specific Gravity: 2.17

Formation & geological history

Formed by the evaporation of seawater or saline lake water in sedimentary basins, often occurring in massive beds or evaporates.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as table salt, for road de-icing, in chemical manufacturing, and as a food preservative. High-quality crystals are used for mineral specimens.

Geological facts

Halite is highly soluble in water and can sometimes be identified by its salty taste (though tasting minerals is not recommended). It is essential for human life but can cause significant soil salinity issues.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its distinctive cubic cleavage and softness. Common in dried lake beds like the Bonneville Salt Flats or deep underground mines in regions like Poland or the USA (Kansas, Michigan).