V. Class of Minerals

Halogenides are natural compounds of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine with alkali and alkaline-earth metals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and with lead and aluminum. They most often form by crystallization from seawater and saline lakes but can also form through sublimation during volcanic eruptions. A key feature of most halogenides is their good solubility in water. There are about a hundred known mineral species of halogenides, but only a few are widely distributed and form significant deposits. The most famous halogenide mineral is halite (rock salt), which is used as kitchen salt in households.