Halite
(Rock Salt)
Massive
Poland
Diagnostic Features
Hardness: 2.5
Streak: White to none
Luster: Nonmetallic
Specific Gravity: 2.1
Cleavage: 3 directions, all perpendicular
Fracture: None
Other: Cleavage surfaces and crystal faces in halite are the same.
Identification Tips
1. Halite is usually clear to white to tan in color, and usually appears as cubic crystals.
2. Cleavage surfaces and crystal faces are equivalent in halite. When broken, halite produces perfectly cubic fragments.
3. Halite possess a characteristically salty taste.
4. Halite is water soluble.
Halite
(Rock Salt)
Massive
New York
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Partial Crystal]
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Partial Hoppered Crystal]
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Partial Hoppered Crystal]
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Glassy Internally Cleaved Translucent Crystalline Mass]
Canadian Salt Company Mine
Windsor
Ontario
CANADA
