mineral

Halite

Halite (Sodium Chloride, NaCl)

Hardness: 2.0-2.5; Color: Colorless to white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect cubic in three directions; Specific Gravity: 2.16

Hardness: 2
Color: Colorless to white
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.0-2.5; Color: Colorless to white; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Cubic; Cleavage: Perfect cubic in three directions; Specific Gravity: 2.16

Formation & geological history

Formed by the evaporation of seawater or saline lake water in sedimentary basins, predominantly during the Permian and Triassic periods.

Uses & applications

Used as table salt, food preservative, road de-icing agent, and in the chemical industry for producing chlorine and sodium hydroxide.

Geological facts

Halite is highly soluble in water; large deposits can be found in salt domes where the mineral flows plastically under pressure. It is essentially common table salt in its natural mineral form.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its salty taste (exercise caution) and its perfect cubic cleavage. Common locations include the Great Salt Lake (USA), Dead Sea (Jordan/Israel), and the Khewra Salt Mine (Pakistan).