Halides: Halite

Composition: NaCl

Crystal system: Isometric; crystals commonly cubic with stepped faces, also massive to granular

Properties:

• Vitreous lustre
• Variable color; colorless, white, grey, yellow, red
• White streak Fingernail scratches barely (Mohs Hardness 2.5)
• Low density
• Three good cleavages at 90^o.
• Cleaves rather than fractures
• Not ferromagnetic
• Soluble in water

2.2.1 halite	2.2.2 halite

Occurrence:

Halite is the most common halide mineral. It occurs as extensive layers interbedded with other sedimentary rocks and also as deposits on the bed of salt lakes .

Halite is an important source of common salt which is also produced from ocean and other saline waters by evaporation in ponds.

2.2.3
halite