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By Chelsea Reed
Himalayan salt lamps. Have you heard of them? Those pink rock lights are on everyone’s gift list these days. If you’ve wondered what makes them so popular, there are many good reasons! Let’s explore a few of them together and get to know this unique form of salt.
They're hand mined deep in the earth. Himalayan salt comes from the Punjab province of Pakistan. It's from ancient salt deposits found at the base of the Himalayan Mountain range. They're from the original primal sea when the Earth was young. The crystal-like structure comes from the rich geological activity of the Himalayas. Tectonic plates there have pressed into each other for thousands of years. Did you know the Himalayan Mountains grows 1cm each year from plate movement? That's amazing! It's also why the purest mined Himalayan salts are from more than 5,000 feet below the earth’s surface.
Its pinkish crystal color comes from the remarkable variety of 84 trace minerals. Trace minerals like calcium, potassium, iodine, and iron combine with the salt element. Regular table salt is white because manufacturers remove the trace minerals from it. Unprocessed pink Himalayan salt is what salt looks like found in nature.
Himalayan salt lamps are very simple light fixtures. Carvers hollow out the salt crystal, give it a standing base, and thread a light source into the cavity. The salt’s pink color produces a warm glow that helps create a calming ambiance for many people, like a candle. Did you know that warm colored light is healthier for your eyes at night than bright blue light? That’s why Himalayan salt lamps are wonderful décor for your bedroom. (And many rooms in the house, for that matter!)
There are many documented studies about salt's wonderful benefits. Salt attracts water molecules in the air that may have allergens, germs, and pollution. The salt traps the pollutants but releases the water vapor when it becomes warm from a source, like a lamp bulb. Salt has a natural negative ion charge in its atoms. It may reduce unhealthy positive ion radiation from smartphones, computers, and household electronics. What’s more, salt is an essential electrolyte in the human body. Without it, we would not be able to move our muscles. Who knew?
Because Himalayan salt lamps are so popular, it’s important to know how to spot the fake ones. If your salt lamp does not chip when you hit it hard, it is likely counterfeit. Salt lamps that appear shellacked or cast a bright whitish light are also suspects. Real Himalayan salt is a soft stone that is only from Pakistan and prone to moist areas. You can be sure that our Himalayan salt lamps from Michael’s Gems and Glass are genuine. (And yes, careful handling is encouraged to prolong the life of your lamp.) For more information about our Himalayan salt lamps, see them now on our website or give us a call. They’re excellent gifts for nature lovers and geology buffs!
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