Himalayan Rock Salt Candle Holders and Lamps: Amber Glow of Eco-Friendly, Tradition-Rich Lighting

by DerdriuMarriner

Himalayan rock salt candle holders and lamps generate lighting whose warm amber glow is consistent with the eco-friendly, tradition-rich procedures.

Himalayan rock salt communicates ancient looks, modern uses

Halite answers to the more common name of rock salt. It becomes more familiar through its definition as the natural form of salt. Salt in turn can be described as a crystalline mineral whose regular, three-dimensional molecular structure inspires the chemical formula NaCl and name sodium chloride.

Sodium chloride indeed dominates Himalayan rock salt’s composition to the tune of 98 percent. Magnesium exerts the next claim as second most dominant component. Bromine, calcium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, and zirconium follow. Some analysts give total tallies of 84 trace minerals.

Eurasia’s Celtic-settled regions have ancient reputations for superiorly bred horses, extracted salt, loomed textiles, and magnificent fortifications. But Pakistan’s Himalayan-mined rock salt is #1.

*****

Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC)
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources
Government of Pakistan
web site: http://www.pmdc.gov.pk/

Khewra Salt Mines Tourist Resort
web site: http://www.pmdc.gov.pk/?p=TouristResort

Mine visiting times: Open for tourists from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day including Sunday and gazetted holidays.

*****

Trace minerals are responsible for pink-tinted Himalayan pink salt crystals.

Trader Joe's Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals; produced in Pakistan, packed in South Africa
Trader Joe's Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals; produced in Pakistan, packed in South Africa

Himalayan rock salt degrades no environments or palates

 

Culture joins geology and history to account for the special associations of Himalayan rock salt over that mined in Austria and Germany. Anthropologists, geologists, historians, and sociologists know of Pakistan’s Himalayan rock salt as:

  • anciently formed;
  • environmentally mined; and
  • traditionally packaged.

Analyses lead geologists to place Himalayan rock salt formation within the confines of the Precambrian eon beginning and ending 4,600,000,000 and 541,000,000 years ago.

Miners and processors likewise move to old rhythms as master craftsmen of:

  • abilities passed from generation to generation;  
  • agilities pursued 4,921 feet (1,499.92 meters) below ground-level;
  • method realized without explosives; and
  • preparation unadulterated by such abrasive industrial procedures as bleaching rock salt’s iron oxide-determined, irregular-formed, nature-guided off-white, pink, red, or transparent looks. 

 

The horses of Alexander the Great are credited with the discovery of the Khewra Salt Mines.

Alexander and his horse Bucephalus; detail of ca. 1st century BCE mosaic on Battle of Issu found in Pompeii in the House of the Faun
Museo archeologico nazionale (National Archaeological Museum), Naples, southwest Italy
Museo archeologico nazionale (National Archaeological Museum), Naples, southwest Italy

Himalayan rock salt encourages happy lifestyles, healthy environments

 

Local tradition nods to the horses of Alexander III (July 21, 356 B.C.E. – June 11, 323 B.C.E.) of Macedon as the discoverers of the Khewra salt mine within the salt range hill system of eastern Pakistan’s Punjab region.  Regional traditions additionally offer Himalayan rock salt as aesthetically and efficaciously multi-purposeful. They provide anecdotes and inspiration for rock salt’s continuing multi-tasking in:

  • cleansing, as bath crystals and as lighting crystals whose heating wicks ambient humidity, odors, and pollutants;
  • conservation, as diluted brine for de-icing and refrigeration;
  • cuisine, as healthy, tasty table salt; and
  • culture, as sculptured lamps, statues, tableware, and vases whose configurations during India’s Mughal Empire (April 21, 1526 – September 14, 1857) keep craftsmen and customers inspired. 

 

Crystal Valley: tunnel in Khewra Salt Mines with rock salt crystals in walls and ceiling illuminated

Khewra Salt Mines, Jhelum district, northeastern Punjab province, eastern Pakistan
Khewra Salt Mines, Jhelum district, northeastern Punjab province, eastern Pakistan

Himalayan rock salt furnishes safe mood-, night-, party-lighting

 

Specialists quarrel over whether heated rock salt crystals are capable of emitting negative ions and positive waves to recharge energy levels and remove environmental contaminants. The point nevertheless remains that Himalayan rock salt favors environmental lifespans, human lifestyles, or wildlife cycles, what with:

  • extraction achievable without dynamite;
  • processing realizable without bleaching; and
  • usage sustainable without preservatives.

From non-industrialized mining through packaging, skilled craftsmen sculpt Himalayan rock salt into beloved products whose natural looks affirm natural inputs and processes, be they flavorful powders or sculptured crystals.

Quality hand-made products tend not to lose favor. Those who appreciate natural beauty therefore understand the warm amber glow of eco-friendly, tradition-rich lighting diffused by Himalayan rock salt candle holders and lamps. 

 

A light source placed in the hollowed interior of Himalayan rock salt block casts appealing orange or pink glows.

Toodyay Community Resource Centre workshop, Wheatbelt Region, southeastern Western Australia; Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 17:00
Toodyay Community Resource Centre workshop, Wheatbelt Region, southeastern Western Australia; Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 17:00

Acknowledgment

 

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

 

Image Credits

 

Trace minerals are responsible for pink-tinted Himalayan pink salt crystals.
Trader Joe's Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals; produced in Pakistan, packed in South Africa: Jun Seita, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/jseita/5929309184/

The horses of Alexander the Great are credited with the discovery of the Khewra Salt Mines.
Alexander and his horse Bucephalus; detail of ca. 1st century BCE mosaic on Battle of Issu found in Pompeii in the House of the Faun
Museo archeologico nazionale (National Archaeological Museum), Naples, southwest Italy: Berthold Werner, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_and_Bucephalus_-_Battle_of_Issus_mosaic_-_Museo_Archeologico_Nazionale_-_Naples_BW.jpg

Crystal Valley: tunnel in Khewra Salt Mines with rock salt crystals in walls and ceiling illuminated
Khewra Salt Mines, Jhelum district, northeastern Punjab province, eastern Pakistan: Smsarmad, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crystal_Valley_(Khewra_Salt_Mines).JPG

A light source placed in the hollowed interior of Himalayan rock salt block casts appealing orange or pink glows.
Toodyay Community Resource Centre workshop, Wheatbelt Region, southeastern Western Australia; Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 17:00: Gnangarra, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Himalayian_salt_lamp_gnangarra-1000.jpg

Souvenir shops outside Khewra Salt Mines sell salt-based products.
salt crystal lamps; Khewra, Jhelum District, northern Punjab Province, eastern Pakistan; Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, 11:31: Mohammad Dawood Majoka (Dawoodmajoka), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SaltLamps.JPG

 

Sources Consulted

 

Schimmel, Annemarie. 2004. The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture. London, England, U.K.: Reaktion Books Ltd. 

 

Souvenir shops outside Khewra Salt Mines sell salt-based products.

salt crystal lamps; Khewra, Jhelum District, northern Punjab Province, eastern Pakistan; Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, 11:31
salt crystal lamps; Khewra, Jhelum District, northern Punjab Province, eastern Pakistan; Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, 11:31
the end which is also the beginning
the end which is also the beginning

Himalayan Salt Lamp with Neem Wood Base, Bulb and Dimmer switch ~ #1 Best Seller in Household Salt Lamps ~ Available via Amazon

Himalayan salt products

The Spice Lab's - 2 Pounds (Food Grade) Himalayan Crystal Salt - Dark Pink - (Coarse) ~ Available via Amazon

#13 in Grocery & Gourmet Food > Herbs, Spices & Seasonings > Salt & Salt Substitutes > Rock Salt ~ 4.9 out of 5 stars from 61 customer reviews
Himalayan salt

Himalayan Salt Slab for Grilling (Large 8" x 8"): hand-carved ~ Available via Amazon

FDA Approved Seasoning Block for Cooking and Serving: perfect way to season food while cooking. Also chill block to use as a serving dish for cold appetizers.
Himalayan salt products

Spice Lab Himalayan Salt Shot Glasses, Set of 4 ~ Available via Amazon

Himalayan salt products

Dial Skin Therapy Himalayan Salt, Pink, 16 Ounce ~ Leaves skin feeling clean, soft and renewed. ~ Available via Amazon

#55 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Bath & Shower > Bath > Minerals & Salts ~ 4.8 out of 5 stars from 19 customer reviews
Himalayan salt products

1 Tablespoon Himalayan Salt: photo by Steve Gadomski ~ giclée print ~ Available via AllPosters

1 Tablespoon Himalayan Salt

Me and my purrfectly purrfect Maine coon kittycat, Augusta "Gusty" Sunshine

Gusty and I thank you for reading this article and hope that our product selection interests you; Gusty Gus receives favorite treats from my commissions.
DerdriuMarriner, All Rights Reserved
DerdriuMarriner, All Rights Reserved
Updated: 11/12/2024, DerdriuMarriner
 
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DerdriuMarriner on 08/09/2023

Thank you for coming over and liking Himalayan salt. In particular, I like your pun when you say "Thanks for THROWING LIGHT on them" (my capitalization ;-D)!

WriterArtist on 08/09/2023

A good part of Himalayan range falls in India. I have heard about the Himalayan salt but haven’t used it. They look good and useful. The information on products pretty much describe its usage. Thanks for throwing light on them.

DerdriuMarriner on 09/03/2015

MBC, Salt lamps are well worth the price and the weight! They are so attractive, efficient, and soothing.

MBC on 08/29/2015

Someone in my condo complex was having a moving sale and she had a very large salt lamp about 13" tall by 8" in diameter and she was selling it for only $10 - what a bargain - I didn't buy it because it was so heavy - but now I wish I had. Great article.

DerdriuMarriner on 07/01/2015

burntchestnut, It's reassuring to know that apparently environment-, people-friendly procedures produce such attractive, comfortable, effective night, outdoor, party, and room lighting. Additionally, I love the versatile possibilities for blocks, glasses, plates, sculptures, and vases.

AngelaJohnson on 06/30/2015

I've seen these rock salt candle holders and lamps, but didn't know about how they were made. Quite interesting!

DerdriuMarriner on 06/29/2015

NanciArvizu, The bathing-salts, candle-holders, glasses, lamps, and plates are wonderful to have!
The candle-holders and lamps give such an artistic, natural look that I'm so glad that the Mughal Empre left such a well-documented legacy whose use is not limited to exclusive lifestyles and remote museums. But I agree that the salt shot glasses really are fetching and fun to use.

NanciArvizu on 06/28/2015

I've seen these salt lamps, always wondered about them. But I really like the salt shot glasses! Great article, thank you!

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