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= Salt lamp = Salt lamps are a type of light fixture made of hollowed-out blocks of Himalayan salt that are placed over lightbulbs. These lamps emit light with a soft pink hue and produce a slight warmth when left on.

History
The invention of the salt lamp model used today is unknown; however, they became popular in the 1980s and saw another resurgence of popularity in the 2010s. The resurgence in part is due to their aesthetic appeal along with their advertised health benefits.

Himalayan salt
The salt used to produce salt lamps comes from the Himalayas, a mountain range in Asia. Most notably, the salt comes from the Khewra Salt Mine in Khewra, Pakistan. The salt mined from Khewra is well-known for its characteristic pink colour, which is a result of the higher concentration of trace minerals (i.e., iron, magnesium, calcium, etc.) in its chemical composition compared to other rock salts.

Himalayan salt has become popular for household use including lamps, crystal decoration as well as cooking. Many recipes call for this ingredient to incorporate new flavours, combat mineral deficiency and promote skin health.

Mining
Himalayan salt is mined in mass due to its high demand in the decorative industry, especially to produce salt lamps. To excavate large quantities at once, traditional mining methods are used, which involves drilling and blasting. The issue with drilling and blasting, however, is that undesirable cracks can be produced as a result. When salt is being carved for lamps, the blocks should not have cracks as they diminish the usability of this expensive mineral and can lead to waste.

Wellness
There is not enough scientific research to affirm that salt lamps can make significant improvements in health. It is regarded as a kind of pseudoscience by some scientists who suggest that the observed effects could be a placebo. Despite the lack of scientific support, there is a belief that using salt lamps can have a positive impact on physical and mental well-being, especially in the following areas:

Respiratory
One of the perceived benefits of salt lamps is that they improve respiratory health because of their claimed ability to produce negative ions, which purifies the surrounding air in theory. Salt lamps are advertised as ionizers, which suggests that they possess antibacterial properties and help eliminate harmful particles. In turn, the elimination of these particles reduces susceptibility to infectious diseases, improves immunity, alleviates symptoms of asthma and improves breathing quality overall.

Mood
Salt lamps are believed to help improve mood and behaviour. They appear to ease symptoms of anxiety, depression and seasonal affective disorder because of the production of negative ions and the soft light they emit. The soothing effect this produces has been compared to the pleasurable feeling after a storm, which generates large amounts of negative ions.

Sleep
The soft and warm glow of the light can improve quality of sleep. Using this type of light at night can be more effective to naturally regulate the sleep hormone melatonin, which is disturbed though exposure to bright lights at night, particularly exposure to blue light from cell phones.

Speleotherapy
Speleotherapy (a type of halotherapy) involves the inhalation of aerosols that are produced by salts. In particular, Himalayan salt is used for this process in salt caves. When these aerosols are inhaled, studies show that they can have a positive impact on respiratory health, including individuals with asthma. Salt lamps are believed to possess halotherapeutic qualities, however there is not yet enough research to affirm its effectiveness.

Colour

 * Pink
 * Orange
 * Red
 * Gray
 * White

Size
Salt lamps typically range in weight from 6 to 12 kg. The smallest can be used in bedrooms and offices while the largest can be used in living rooms, kitchens and other large spaces.

Shape
Salt lamps are available in various shapes as well. The most common type is the rough-hewn block of salt, but they can also be carved and smoothed to create spheres and pyramids, along with more intricate designs.