Mineral, K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄.2H₂O; sp. gr. 2.8; hardness 2.5–3.0; triclinic; normally flesh-pink to brick-red, and translucent; silky to resinous lustre; usually occurs as fibrous or lamellar masses; cleavage {100}, parting {010}; occurs in bedded evaporite deposits and is one of the last minerals to be precipitated from saline waters, due to its high solubility; tastes bitter.