Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Nitrates
    Crystal system : Trigonal
    Chemistry : NaNO₃
    Rarity : Quite common

Nitratine is the most common nitrate. Like niter (or saltpeter) and most nitrates, it deflagrates when heated and is easily soluble in water. Its name is taken from its chemical composition. It usually appears in shapeless grainy masses of sometimes imposing dimensions, in efflorescences and encrustations, white to brownish in color (coloring due to impurities) scattered on the soil of arid regions. The crystals are rare and of poor quality; They originate in efflorescences exploited in the deserts of Chile, the United States (California, Texas), or Russia and adopt a rhombohedral facies. Like niter, it is exploited as a source of nitrogen for the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives and plastics.

Main photo : Nitratine from Salar de Miraje, Chile © John Sobolewski

Numerous twins are known on {011-2}, on {0001} by interpenetration, on {022-1} with 3 or 6 individuals and rarely on {101-1}.

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.