Group of hanksite crystals, from the type locality for the species. It is one of the few minerals that contain both carbonate and sulfate ionic groups. Hanksite forms large crystals in evaporite deposits. These deposits are found in arid environments where water, which carries dissolved salts, evaporates and concentrates the ions. Halite is one of the first minerals to crystallize. As the water becomes even more concentrated, rare and unusual minerals such as borax and hanksite eventually crystallize as well.