Salammoniac
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Salammoniac is named from the Greek "sals ammonikos" for "salt of Ammon", used by early Alchemists because of its manufacture near the Oracle of Ammon in Egypt.

Discovered in 1546;   IMA status:  Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

NH₄Cl

Ammonium Chloride

Molecular Weight:

53.49 gm

Composition:

Hydrogen

7.54 %

H

—  %

Calc as (NH₄)₂O

Nitrogen

26.19 %

N

48.68 %

(NH₄)₂O

Chlorine

66.28 %

Cl

66.28 %

Cl

—  %

Cl

-14.96 %

—O=Cl₂

100.00 %

100.00 %

= TOTAL OXIDE

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Halides

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

3/A.04-10

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

3.AA.25

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H₂O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.

Related to:

n/a

Varieties:

None

Synonyms:

Chlorammonium, Chloride of Ammonium, Muriate of Ammonia, Sal-Ammoniac, Sal Ammoniac

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Isometric - Hexoctahedral

Crystal Habit:

Crystals usually trapezohedral {112} modified by {113} at times; less commonly with gyroidal forms alone, or in combination. Dodecahedral; cubic (rare). Crystals often exhibit curved or stepped faces and may present a tetragnal or rhombohedral appearance due to suppression of faces and distortion. Skeletal or dendritic aggregates. Crusts or stalactitic masses; fibrous, earthy or mealy.

Twinning:

On {111}, may be cyclic

Parting:

Translation gliding with T{011}, t[001]

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

Imperfect on {111}

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Between brittle and sectile; very plastic

Moh's Hardness:

1.5 - 2.0

Density:

1.532 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Other:

Water Soluble

Optical Properties

Color:

White, pale Gray, may be pale Yellow to Brown if impure; Colorless in transmitted light.

Transparency:

Transparent

Luster:

Vitreous

Refractive Index:

1.693  Isotropic; may be weakly anisotropic

Birefringence:

0.00 (Isotropic) Weakly birefringent at times, especially after mechanical deformation.

Dispersion:

n/a

Pleochroism:

None

Occurances

Geological Setting:

A sublimation product around volcanic fumaroles; in burning coal seams and waste piles; in guano deposits. The ammonia usually is derived from organic matter.

Common Associations:

Sulfur (fumaroles); Realgar, Orpiment, Sulfur, Mascagnite, Tschermigite (burning coal).

Common Impurities:

n/a

Type Locality:

possibly Etna, Vesuvius, Italy

Year Discovered:

1546

View mineral photos:

Sal ammoniac Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org 
Webmineral.com

Salammoniac is a rare Halide mineral composed of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). Salammoniac is very difficult to facet because it is water soluble, very soft (Mohs hardness of 1.5 -2.0) and has a very low specific gravity of 1.5. It forms as some of the most interesting and collectable crystal shapes in the mineral world. These complex, intricate crystals are white to colorless and often shaped like twisted spines with four sets of crystals radiating out from and twisting around the center spine at 90 degrees from each other.

Salammoniac is a sublimation product that forms around volcanic fume release vents or fumaroles. The crystallization occurs as volcanic gases escape. Another natural occurrence is from underground burning coal seams. The ammonia usually is derived from organic matter. Notable occurrences include Tajikistan; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy; and Parícutin, Michoacan, Mexico. The localtion most known for the unique "spine-like" crystals is the former Ravat Village, Yagnob River, Viloyati Sogd, Tajikistan.
 

  
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