Class : Halides
    Subclass : Chlorides
    Crystal system : Cubic
    Chemistry : NH₄Cl
    Rarity : Common

Salammoniac is an halide that forms in a variety of contexts, many of which show interaction with organic matter, which explains the presence of nitrogen in its chemical composition (guano, sublimation of burning coal mines and coal mine spoil heaps). It is also observed in fumarolic deposits, often in the company of sulphur and orpiment. Its name comes from the Greek sals ammonikos (salt of Ammon) which referred to the saltpeter found in Egypt near the Oracle of Ammon. Salammoniac rarely forms trapezohedral, octahedral or dodecahedral crystals, often with curved or stepped faces. Salmiac most frequently constitutes skeletal and dendritic aggregates, masses and earthy incrustations. It is a white to white-gray mineral, sometimes reddish, of low hardness (1 to 2) and low density (1.5) with a strong astringent taste; it is extremely soluble in water.

Main photo : Salammoniac from Ravat village, Yagnob River, Tajikistan © Dan Weinrich

Twins are known on {111}.

No fakes listed for this mineral species.