Sylvite

Real mineral · common · KCl

Potassium chloride laid down in the last, most soluble stage of an evaporating sea, always above the halite it resembles. It tastes markedly bitter where halite tastes only of salt.

Identity

Formula

KCl

Chemical class

halide

Also known as

Sylvine

Crystallography

Crystal system

cubic

Habits

cubic, granular, massive

Fracture

uneven

Physical properties

Mohs hardness

2.5

Density

1.99 g/cm³

Luster

vitreous, waxy

Colors

white, yellowish white, reddish white, bluish white, brownish white

Streak

white

Transparency

transparent

Geology

Origins

sedimentary

Host rocks

evaporite, salt dome

Associated minerals

Halite, Gypsum, Anhydrite

Geography

Germany, Canada, Russia

Classification

Rarity

common

Gem quality

No

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