Mineral Guide · Mineral

Glauberite

Glauberite is a sodium-calcium sulfate of evaporite deposits, commonly found with other soluble salts and sometimes forming sharp tabular crystals.

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Crystal structure

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Mineral properties

Formula: Na₂Ca(SO₄)₂
Class: Sulfates
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Typical colours: yellow, colourless, white, grey
Lustre: Pearly, Vitreous
Hardness: 2.50-3.00
Specific gravity: 2.75-2.85
Crystal habit: Granular, Prismatic, Tabular
Origin: saline lake beds, evaporite basins and late-stage brine deposits

What is Glauberite?

Glauberite is a sodium-calcium sulfate of evaporite deposits, commonly found with other soluble salts and sometimes forming sharp tabular crystals.

Mineralogy and structure

Reference formula: Na₂Ca(SO₄)₂. Glauberite is monoclinic and belongs to a group of soluble evaporite sulfates. Moisture and surface alteration can affect specimens. Glauberite belongs to the sulfates and has a monoclinic crystal system. Typical hardness is 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.75–2.85.

Colour and appearance

Typical colours include colourless, white, grey, yellow. The usual tabular, prismatic, granular habit and vitreous, pearly lustre are useful descriptive features, but colour alone is not diagnostic.

Formation and localities

Glauberite forms in or is associated with saline lake beds, evaporite basins and late-stage brine deposits. Important documented localities include Spain, the United States, Chile, Argentina, China and India.

Collecting and care

Keep dry and protected from water; do not clean soluble evaporite crystals with liquid.

Sources and editorial review

Reviewed by NotOnlyRocks Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 31 August 2026

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