Crystals are transparent to translucent. Crystal Habits include the typical hexagonal dipyramid terminating an hexagonal prism. The pyramids are often truncated by pinacoids. The six faces of the pyramids are aligned with the six faces of the prism. Tabular and twinned crystals are also common.
Cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Fracture is uneven. Streak is white. Has a salty taste , a white powdery film will often cloud crystals and some specimens are fluorescent yellowish-white under longwave ultraviolet light. Associated Minerals are halite , borax , trona , nahcolite , tincalconite and other evaporite minerals. Notable Occurrences include the type locality of Searles Lake, San Bernardino County as well as Mono Lake, Mono County, California and other evaporite locations.