Description
A mineral composed of sodium chloride that naturally occurs as colorless, cubic crystals. Halite is found in dry lakebeds, in underground salt deposits and near the ocean. Large deposits occur in Germany, Austria, Russia, France (Dax), India (Punjab), Canada (Ontario), and the U.S. (New York, Michigan, Kansas, California). It is often mined then ground for use as common table salt. Large, unground crystals are sold as rock salt. Rock salt is used to melt ice, as a food preservative, and for the production of soda ash by the glass industry.
Synonyms and Related Terms
sodium chloride; rock salt; sea salt; evaporite; halita (Esp.); halite (Port.); Halit, Steinsalz (Deut.); haliet (Ned.)
| NaCl |
| 7647-14-5 |
| 2.0 - 2.5 |
| 58.44 |
| 2.4-2.6 |
| 1.544 |
Other Properties
Soluble in water. Fluorescent. Salty taste. Transparent.
Fracture = conchoidal. Streak = white. Luster = vitreous.
Isometric, cubic crystals. Perfect cleavage in three directions with 90 degree angles.
Additional Information
Mineralogy Database: Halite
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Last updated on: 7/7/2009 9:06:29 AM
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