Salt crystals can grow to a surprisingly large size. In some salt mines, you can find very large, transparent cubic crystals that measure two, three, or more inches across.
Size and Shape
These impressive crystals are not just large; they also exhibit a perfect cubic shape, meaning their sides form a perfect square. When struck with a hard object, they will cleave along their crystalline structure into smaller, yet still perfect, cubes.
Color Variations
The color of salt crystals can vary, it's not always white:
- Pure salt crystals are colorless.
- Typical rock salt (halite) can appear white, gray, or brownish.
Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Can reach two, three or more inches in size. |
| Shape | Perfect cubes. |
| Transparency | Can be transparent. |
| Color | Colorless (pure), white, gray or brownish (rock salt/halite). |
| Cleavage | Breaks into smaller cubes when struck. |
Salt crystals found in nature are formed through evaporation of saltwater solutions over long periods. The slow evaporation allows time for the individual salt molecules to attach to the growing crystal in a consistent, cubic pattern.
