Halite

NaCl

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Better known as rock salt, halite is the mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl) and among the most familiar minerals to people everywhere. It crystallizes in the cubic system, typically as cubes or massive aggregates, with a vitreous luster, a white streak, perfect cubic cleavage, and a Mohs hardness of 2 to 2.5. Colors range from colorless and white to blue, orange, and pink, the pink varieties tinted by iron oxide impurities, and its specific gravity is 2.16. Halite forms thick evaporite deposits where seawater or saline lakes dry up, and it remains a fundamental industrial and dietary commodity. Its ready solubility in water and salty taste are diagnostic, alongside the perfect cubic cleavage.

Halite (rock salt) is the mineral form of sodium chloride. It forms extensive evaporite deposits and is one of the most familiar minerals to humans. Pink halite from certain deposits contains iron oxide impurities.

Crystal System Cubic (Isometric)
Mineral Class 03 Halides
Mohs Hardness 2.0-2.5
Specific Gravity 2.16
Color Colorless, white, blue, orange, pink
Luster Vitreous
Streak White
Cleavage Perfect cubic {001}
Fracture Conchoidal
Transparency Transparent
Crystal Habit Cubic, massive

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 2.0 – 2.5
1 Soft10 Hard
Halite has a Mohs hardness of 2–2.5 on the 1–10 mineral hardness scale.
Mohs Hardness Reference Mineral
1 Talc
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite
4 Fluorite
5 Apatite
6 Orthoclase
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
9 Corundum
10 Diamond

Crystal System

Cubic (Isometric)
Halite crystallizes in the Cubic (Isometric) crystal system.
Property Value
Crystal System Cubic (Isometric)
Axial Relationships a = b = c, α = β = γ = 90°

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardness of Halite?
Halite has a Mohs hardness of 2.0-2.5.
What crystal system does Halite belong to?
Halite crystallizes in the Cubic (Isometric) crystal system.
What color is Halite?
Halite is typically Colorless, white, blue, orange, pink.
What type of luster does Halite have?
Halite exhibits a Vitreous luster.
What is the chemical formula of Halite?
The chemical formula of Halite is NaCl.