Himalayan Salt Candle Holder

Millions & millions of years ago, with the formation of the magnificent Himalayan Mountains, came the existence of Himalayan Mineral Salt Crystals. Tremendous pressure and heat refines the structure of the salt crystals and make them translucent. Salt at the foothills of the Himalayas was crystallized at varying temperatures. Salt formed at a higher temperature is more translucent than that formed at a lower temperature. The salt formed in cooler conditions often has large, flaky deposits, which do not allow light to penetrate. A high mineral content, such as iron, can inhibit the distribution of light waves through the salt. We at WBM International emphasize greatly on hand picking the crystals that will be used for our lamps. Thus obviously a premium price is paid for premium salt crystals.
Color of the Crystals

Himalayan Salt Lamps vary in color from light apricot to dark orange, with every shade of pink and peach in between. This colorization is caused by the infusion of minerals within the salt crystals: the redder the salt, the higher the iron content. The most common colors are a medium peach or pink. Some of the crystals do have a reddish glow and some crystals are deep red or almost brown; these lamps are very hard to light up even with higher wattage light bulbs.  

Salt lamps emit negative ions. It is one of the therapeutic qualities for which they are valued. We won't get into the science of negative ions and the claims made about them here. Suffice it to say, the amount of ions emitted by a lamp varies in direct proportion to the exposed surface area of the salt lamp: the larger the surface area; the greater the output of negative ions. Negative ion output drops off dramatically within a few feet of the lamp regardless of its size and ion output. As a result, if it is ionization you are looking for, you may prefer to have more salt lamps placed throughout a room rather than one excessively large one.