Sulphohalite
4 in the gallery
Sulphohalite is a sulfate mineral characterized by an isometric crystal system and vitreous, greasy luster. It forms well-defined octahedral, dodecahedral, and cubic habits, often displaying color variations from colorless to yellow, green, or white, with a white streak and no cleavage. Its Mohs hardness of 3.5 and relatively light specific gravity around 2.5 contribute to its distinct, easily recognizable crystals that can appear translucent to transparent in well-formed specimens.
- Formula
- Na6(SO4)2FCl
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Sulfates; Strunz 7.BD.10
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- isometric
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.5
- Luster
- vitreous, greasy
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- colorless, yellow, green, white
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- none
- Fracture
- conchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- octahedral, dodecahedral, cubic
- Classic / historic
Where Sulphohalite is found
Top localities
- Searles Lake4 specimens
About Sulphohalite
Notable specimens of Sulphohalite have been reported from the United States, where classic and historic samples are prized by mineral collectors. The mineral’s rarity and sulfate chemistry, along with its crystalline forms, make well-crystallized pieces attractive for display and study. Collectors value Sulphohalite for its vintage appeal and the gem-like quality of its crystals within mineral collections, contributing to its moderate level of collector interest and its place among the more intriguing historic species in sulfate group displays.