How to Make a Rock Salt Lamp

Select a large slab of rock salt. Lighter colors of salt will shine brighter than darker colors. The size of the slab depends on the size of your lamp but choose a rock that is at least twice as large as your lamp. Drilling into a rock that is too small will crack the rock salt.

Put on protective gear, including goggles and work gloves, before you begin drilling.

Drill a hole into the slab of rock salt that is large enough to fit the lamp wiring kit and light bulb. After you are finished hollowing out the core of the rock salt, make sure the slab has not cracked. Cracked rocks must be discarded.

Use a chipping hammer to carefully carve the slab into the desired shape and size for your rock salt lamp.

Check that the lamp base is level so that the lamp stands upright. Note the bracket measurements for the wooden lamp base. Mark the intended locations of the brackets on the rock salt. Carefully drill holes into the base of the rock salt for the wooden lamp base.

Wash the hollow rock salt with mild dish washing soap and allow the slab to dry overnight. Polish the rock with a soft cotton cloth.

Take the cord from the lamp assembly kit and thread it through the wooden lamp base. Attach the neck and nipple of the lamp by screwing them tightly together. Screw the socket cap onto the nipple.

Tie the cord into an underwriter's knot which will add support to the wires. There are online resources to learn how to tie this knot, such as the one available from Hope College's Department of Engineering. Connect the wires to the terminal screws from the lamp assembly kit. Attach the socket onto the cap and snap them into place.

Screw in a chandelier light bulb and attach the base to the lamp with the base fasteners.