Pink Himalayan salt, also known as Indian rock salt, is rock salt extracted from the Himalayas region of northern Pakistan. The salt has a brownish-yellow tint because of mineral impurities that are naturally present in the Himalayas. It's primarily used for food preparation, including table salt and bath salt, as well as for ornamental purposes, cooking and spa treatments. While Himalayan rock salt can't be processed into a usable product by conventional means, it's been successfully converted into a high-quality product through high-pressure sodium metal ionization.
High pressure sodium metal ionization is a process in which sodium ions are forced to enter a metal chamber where they react with the metal ions to form molecules with a silver or yellow tint. In this process, the salt itself is not changed and therefore retains the minerals that make it so desirable in the first place. The high pressure is enough to cause the water molecules within the chamber to shift, and this in turn creates hydrogen bonding between the sodium ions and the water molecules that cause them to release energy in the form of heat.
Since high-pressure sodium metal ionization is a very effective method of converting naturally occurring Himalayan rock salt into a crystal product, there are some important considerations you should take into consideration before undergoing the process. First and foremost, you must be sure to choose a licensed and insured facility to undertake your Himalayan salt conversion. There are some salt refineries out there that use illegal methods to process the rock salt and thus produce products that are not as pure as those sold by reputable facilities.
As is true for any high-pressure sodium metal ionization project, you must always read the fine print to know what procedures the salt factory uses to convert your salt. Some salt manufacturers will use processes like electrolysis to transform salt into crystals, yet the chemical makeup of salt crystals makes them highly reactive. A salt manufacturer will generally use ion exchange to change the sodium ions from one group to another. This process also alters the color of the rock salt, however, it doesn't alter the chemical makeup of the salt.
When you decide on a high-pressure sodium metal ionization facility, do a little research on their experience, training, equipment and other materials and supplies. Make sure that they are using high-quality ion exchange electrodes, and other chemicals to ensure that your Himalayan rock salt is converted to the crystal form you desire.
High-pressure sodium metal ionization takes several months to complete. The salt must be processed in a chamber, where the rocks must be placed inside a large vacuum chamber. While the salt is under pressure, the heat produced by the metal ionization process breaks the molecules into their constituent atoms. The atoms and molecules then rearrange themselves, forming crystalline structures, which have a smooth, shiny surface.
Once the salt crystals have formed, you can store the salt in large containers in order to make Pink Himalayan salt for your cooking or other decorative purposes. Some Himalayan rock salt crystals have been used to make salt candles and necklaces, and they look extremely beautiful when used for decorative items in a necklace or a bracelet. The crystals are also great for decorating your garden. You can purchase these Himalayan crystal salts at wholesale prices and use them as flooring for your home or even as salt rocks in your garden.
You can buy Himalayan rock salt in bulk to help you save money in the long run. If you want to buy just one cubic meter of Himalayan rock salt, you can do so for about $75 US per kilogram. Purchasing Himalayan rock salt in bulk will save you money and you'll have your salt crystals all prepared and ready to go!
