With a hardness of 2.5, perfect cleavage, brittle tenacity, and extreme solubility in water, halites are exceedingly difficult to cut and near impossible to wear. However, they can occur in spectacular colors, like the deep blue this rare faceted specimen shows. 3.80 cts, 10 x 8 x 4 mm, Africa. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Jasper52.
The Process
- Stick the halite in your mouth.
- Next, flush liberally with 190 proof grain alcohol (if you’ve got any left after the last toga party).
Halite is not only tasty but also fluorescent. These colorless halites on a shale matrix appear pinkish orange under ultraviolet light. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.
Cutting Remarks
Slight rounding at facet junctions may occur using this method.
For a little acid to help polish, a wedge of lemon or lime works well. Take two aspirin in the morning.
Be wary of consuming halites in situ, since they may contain admixed materials not good for your health. Consult your faceter before mixing halite and alcohol. Halite crystals in a mine, Merkers, Germany. Photo by Wampi. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.
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