Sylvinite vs. Sylvite — What's the Difference?

Sylvinite is a sedimentary rock made of a mechanical mixture of the minerals sylvite (KCl, or potassium chloride) and halite (NaCl, or sodium chloride). Sylvinite is the most important source for the production of potash in North America, Russia and the UK. Most Canadian operations mine sylvinite with proportions of about 31% KCl and 66% NaCl with the balance being insoluble clays, anhydrite and in some locations carnallite.

Sylvite, or sylvine, is potassium chloride (KCl) in natural mineral form. It forms crystals in the isometric system very similar to normal rock salt, halite (NaCl).

A colorless vitreous potassium chloride mineral, the major ore of potassium.

A colorless vitreous potassium chloride mineral, the major ore of potassium.

(mineral) sylvite

(mineral) An evaporite, consisting of potassium chloride KCl, also found in fumaroles.

A mineral consisting of native potassium chloride; an important ore of potassium that is found in sedimentary beds