Halite, the natural form of salt, is a very common and well-known mineral. Also know as rock salt, it typically occurs within sedimentary rocks where it has formed from the evaporation of seawater or salty lake water. Normally clear to white when pure, it can be found in a variety of colors dependent on impurities, including blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange, green and gray. It displays a vitreous luster. And one more unique identifying property is taste. It is quite salty!

The crystal system for Halite is isometric, forming cubes and exhibiting cubic cleavage. Other forms include massive, grainy, encrusting, botryoidal and stalactitic. Also forms as rectangular crystal clusters and elongated scepters of cubic crystals.

Halite comes from numerous localities, including enormous salt mines throughout the world. Quality specimen locations include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the USA (California, New Mexico, Utah).