Sal ammoniac
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Sal ammoniac is a rare mineral composed of ammonium chloride, NH4Cl. It forms colorless to white to yellow brown crystals in the isometric - hexoctahedral class. It has very poor cleavage and a brittle to conchoidal fracture. It is quite soft, with a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 and has a low specific gravity of 1.5. It is water soluble.
It typically forms as encrustations formed by sublimation around volcanic vents. It is found around volcanic fumaroles, guano deposits and burning coal seams. Associated minerals include: sodium alum, native sulfur and other fumarole minerals. Notable occurrences include: Tadzhikistan; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy and Parícutin, Michoacan, Mexico.
It is also the archaic name for the chemical compound ammonium chloride; from Greek, άλς άμμωνιακός hals ammoniakos, salt of Ammon, because of its early manufacture in Egypt.
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