Mineral - Halite
Halite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Halides
Toxicity
none
Formula
NaCl
Unit Cell
a=5.64 Z=4
Physical Properties
Hardness
2
Streak
white
Density
Normal (2-3,5)
Cleavage
Perfect after {001}
Fracture
conchoidal
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
whitegrayredyellowbluecolorless
Birefringence
Luster
Vitreous,
Greasy
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
isometric
Point Group
hexoctahedral - 4/m 3 2/m
Space Group
Fm 3 m (225)
Habit
coarse, fibrous, crusty, massive, Octahedron, Cube
Formation
As an evaporite, by direct precipitation from seawater when the solubility product is exceeded, through evaporation in arid climates.
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Very common
Synonyms
Halite, Salt, Rock Salt
Composition
Elements
Mass
Na
39.00
K
0.12
Mg
0.03
Ca
0.08
Cl
60.27
SO₄
0.27
Spain (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Halite-Group