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Halite

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CR543236

Halite

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Stassfurt, Saxony - Anhalt, Germany
Class: 
Massive/Crystalline
Size Range: 
Cabinet (10-18 cm)
Size: 
15 × 15 × 6 cm
Description

A large halite specimen with deep blue intergrown halite crystals in white halite matrix from this very old, classic locale.

Blue halite is the result of exposure to natural radiation. Initially, if halite (common salt) is exposed to gamma radiation, it turns amber because of F-centers. They are mostly electrons trapped at sites of missing Cl- ions. In time the electrons migrate to Na+ ions and reduce it to Na metal. Atoms of Na metal, in turn, migrate to form colloidal sized aggregates of sodium metal. They are the cause of the blue color.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Halite

Formula: 
NaCl
Strunz: 
3.AA.20
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
2.5
Streak: 
White