Anhydrite and Halite Physical Properties

Anhydrite

Halite

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1 Physical Properties

1.1 Tenacity

Brittle

1.2 Solubility

Not Available

Water-soluble

1.3 Durability

Not Available

1.4 Specific Gravity

2.90-2.982.17

1 7.18

1.5 Fracture

Conchoidal, Brittle, Conchoidal, UnevenArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009), Brittle, Conchoidal

Conchoidal, Brittle, Metallic

1.6 Cleavage

Rare tabular and prismatic crystals. Usually occurs as fibrous, parallel veins that break off into cleavage fragments.

Perfect {001}, three directions cubic

1.7 Mohs Hardness

3.52.0-2.5

2 10

1.8 Chemical Composition

CaSO 4Michael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth edition (2006) More from other references

NaCl

Anhydrite and Halite Chemical Formula

While comparing Anhydrite and Halite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Anhydrite and Halite chemical formula.

Chemical formula of Anhydrite- CaSO 4Michael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth edition (2006) More from other references
Chemical formula of Halite- NaCl

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Anhydrite and Halite Specific Gravity

Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Anhydrite and Halite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Anhydrite and Halite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Anhydrite is 2.17 whereas that of Halite is 2.17.