Himalayan Pink Salt (Halite)
Halite (Sodium Chloride) · Mineral Specimen / Industrial Mineral / Decorative Stone
Crystal System
Cubic (Isometric); typically occurs in massive, granular, or cubic crystalline habits. This specimen displays a massive, irregular fractured habit.
Mineral Group
Halides; Sodium Chloride group
Chemical Formula
NaCl (with trace impurities of iron oxides, potassium, magnesium, and calcium)
Formation Process
Sedimentary (Evaporite); formed through the evaporation of ancient seawater in closed basins, followed by geological compression over millions of years.
About This Crystal
Translucent to semi-opaque specimen with a pale pink to peach-orange hue. It displays a waxy to vitreous luster on fresh surfaces, with a somewhat grainy or sugary texture. The color is distributed unevenly due to iron oxide inclusions.
Physical Characteristics
Color: Pink/Peach; Streak: White; Cleavage: Perfect cubic (though not clearly defined in this raw fragment); Fracture: Conchoidal to irregular; Specific Gravity: 2.16; Tenacity: Brittle; Soluble in water.
Optical Properties
Isotropic (Singly refractive); Refractive Index: 1.544; Lacks pleochroism and dispersion; usually non-fluorescent but can occasionally show dull red under UV due to impurities.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Khewra Salt Mine in the Punjab region of Pakistan (Salt Range); formed in ancient evaporated sea beds.
Hardness & Durability
Mohs Hardness: 2.0 to 2.5; Very soft and fragile. Can be scratched by a fingernail or a copper coin. Low toughness; prone to shattering and dissolution.
Care & Maintenance
Keep strictly dry; will dissolve or 'sweat' in humid environments. Avoid all water, steam, or ultrasonic cleaners. Clean only with a soft, dry cloth. Store in a low-humidity area.
Rarity & Value
Very Common; low market value. Value is primarily based on size and aesthetic color for decorative use. Larger, deeply colored blocks are preferred for lamps and culinary use.
Special Characteristics
Highly hygroscopic (attracts water molecules from the air); salty taste (diagnostic, though not recommended for unidentified minerals); distinctive pink color caused by trace iron oxides.
Lore & History
Historically used for food preservation and as currency. Metaphysically associated with the Heart and Solar Plexus chakras; traditionally believed to clear electromagnetic smog and promote a sense of calm and purification in living spaces.