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Hydroboracite

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Boron Pit, Baker mine, U.S. Borax Mine (Pacific West Coast Borax Mine; Pacific Coast Borax Co. Mine; Boron Mine; U.S. Borax and Chemical Corp. Mine; Kramer Mine; Baker Mine), Kramer Borate deposit, Boron, Kramer District, Kern Co., California, USA
© O. Dziallas

Show Hydroboracite Photos (26)
Formula:
CaMg[B
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white
Hardness:2
Name:In allusion to the composition, being a HYDRated BORAte.
This page provides mineralogical data about Hydroboracite.

Classification of Hydroboracite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/J.03-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.CB.15

6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
B : Ino-triborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.3.6.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.3.22

9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
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Type Occurrence of Hydroboracite

Type Locality:Inder B deposit and salt dome, Atyrau (Gur'yev), Atyrau Oblysy (Atyrau Oblast'), Kazakhstan
Year of Discovery:1834
Geological Setting of type material:The original description of the type locality is the Caucasus. The original location has not been found.

Physical Properties of Hydroboracite

Lustre:Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white
Hardness (Mohs):2

Crystallography of Hydroboracite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 11.76Å, b = 6.68Å, c = 8.23Å
β = 102.59°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.76 : 1 : 1.232
Unit Cell Volume:V 630.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals elongated [001] and flattened {010}. Lamellar-fibrous radiating or columnar. Compact and fine-grained.

Optical Data of Hydroboracite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.520 - 1.523 nβ = 1.534 - 1.535 nγ = 1.569 - 1.571
2V:Measured: 60° to 66°, Calculated: 62° to 66°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.049

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:relatively weak

Chemical Properties of Hydroboracite

Formula:
CaMg[B
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, Ca, H, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, H, Mg, O

Relationship of Hydroboracite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.CB.10Colemanite
Ca[B
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)
 
3
] · H
 
2
O
6.CB.20Howlite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
SiO
 
9
(OH)
 
5
6.CB.25Jarandolite
Ca[B
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)
 
3
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.3.1Calciborite
Ca[B
 
2
O
 
4
]
9.3.2Sibirskite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)(B
 
2
O
 
4
(OH))]
9.3.3Fabianite
CaB
 
3
O
 
5
OH
9.3.4Uralborite
Ca
 
2
[B
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
5
·OB(OH)
 
3
]
9.3.5Vimsite
CaB
 
2
O
 
2
(OH)
 
4
9.3.6Olshanskyite
Ca
 
3
[OH|{B(OH)
 
4
}
 
2
]
 
2
9.3.7Frolovite
Ca[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
9.3.8Korzhinskite
CaB
 
2
O
 
4
·H
 
2
O
9.3.9Tyretskite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
9
OH·H
 
2
O
9.3.10Nifontovite
CaB
 
2
O
 
4
·2.3H
 
2
O
9.3.12Inyoite
Ca(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 4H
 
2
O
9.3.13Gowerite
Ca[B
 
5
O
 
8
(OH)][B(OH)
 
3
]·3H
 
2
O
9.3.14Colemanite
Ca[B
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)
 
3
] · H
 
2
O
9.3.15Pentahydroborite
CaB
 
2
O(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.3.16Hexahydroborite
Ca[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
9.3.17Meyerhofferite
Ca
 
2
(H
 
3
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
9.3.18Priceite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
7
(OH)
 
5
·H
 
2
O
9.3.19Ginorite
Ca
 
2
B
 
14
O
 
23
·8H
 
2
O
9.3.20Probertite
NaCaB
 
5
O
 
7
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
9.3.21Ulexite
NaCa[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
] · 5H
 
2
O
9.3.23Inderborite
CaMg(H
 
3
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.3.24Wardsmithite
Ca
 
5
Mg[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
 
6
 · 30H
 
2
O
9.3.25Henmilite
Ca
 
2
Cu(OH)
 
4
|[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
9.3.26Strontioborite
SrB
 
8
O
 
11
(OH)
 
4
9.3.27Veatchite
Sr
 
2
B
 
11
O
 
16
(OH)
 
5
·H
 
2
O
9.3.28Veatchite-A
Sr
 
2
B
 
11
O
 
16
(OH)
 
5
·H
 
2
O
9.3.29 P-Veatchite
9.3.30 Balavinskite
Sr
 
2
B
 
6
O
 
11
·4H
 
2
O
9.3.31Tunellite
SrB
 
6
O
 
9
(OH)
 
2
·3H
 
2
O
9.3.32Strontioginorite
(Sr,Ca)
 
2
B
 
14
O
 
23
·8H
 
2
O

Other Names for Hydroboracite

Other Languages:
German:Hydroboracit
Russian:Гидроборацит
Spanish:Hydroboracita

Other Information

Other Information:Virtually insoluble in cold water. Partially dissolved by prolonged submersion in boiling water.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Hydroboracite

Reference List:Hess (1834) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 31: 49.

Lottner (1865) Zeitschrift der Deutsche geologische Gesellschaft, Berlin: 17: 430.

Erdmann (1907) Chemie und Industrie der Kalisalze, Berlin: 12.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 88.

Schaller (1928) Festsch. Goldschmidt, Heidelberg: 256.

Boldyreva (1936) Mater. Cent. Sc. Geol. Prosp. Inst., no. 1: 62 (Min. Abs. (1936): 6: 336.

Boldyreva in Godlevsky (1937) Mineralogicheskoe Obshchestvo, Leningrad, Zapiski: 66: 315; ...(abstract) Min. Abs.: 7: 122.

Boky (1937) Bull. ac. sc. U.R.S.S., Cl. sc. mat. nat., Ser. chim.: 871;...(abstrat) Min. Abs.: 7: 123.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 353-355.

C. Sabelli and A. Stoppioni (1978): Refinement of the crystal structure of hydroboracite. Canadian Mineralogist 16, 75-80.

Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

Internet Links for Hydroboracite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Hydroboracite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Argentina
     
    • Salta
      • Salar Del Hombre Muerto
    Journal of Sedimentary Research, Volume 70, N° 3, p 664 to 681
    www.sijes.com.ar
    www.sijes.com.ar
    www.sijes.com.ar
    http://www.irocks.com/Inyoite.html
    www.sijes.com.ar
    www.sijes.com.ar
    Azerbaijan
     
    • Qobustan (Gobustan; Kobustan) District
      • Caspian Sea
    		Novgorodova M.I., Mamedov Yu.G.. Native aluminium from mud volcano at the Bulla island (caspian Sea), - Lithology and Mineral Resourses,1996,N4,p. 339-349
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Kings Co.
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1469-1487.
        • Sussex
          • Cardwell Parish
            • Penobsquis
    		Canadian Mineralogist (2002): 40: 1675-1686.
    China
     
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
    		J.W. Anthony, R.A. Bideaux, K.W. Bladh, M.C. Nichols: Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. V (2003)
    Germany
     
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Stassfurt Potash deposit
        • Tarthun
    		No reference listed
    • Thuringia
      • Harz Mts
        • Nordhausen
          • Niedersachswerfen
    		Siemroth, J. (2008): Das Vorkommen von Boratmineralien im Werra-Anhydrit des Steinbruchs Kohnstein bei Niedersachswerfen am Südharz, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 59, 353-366
          • Woffleben
    		W. Fischer & M. Lischke (1981): Hydroboracit von Woffleben, eine vorläufige Fundbeschreibung. Fundgrube 1/1981, 28-29.
    Iran
     
    • Zanjan Province
      • Dandy District
    		M Nazari collection
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Aqtöbe Oblysy (Aktubinsk [Aktyubinsk; Aktubinskaya] Oblast')
      • Aksai Valley
    • Atyrau Oblysy (Atyrau Oblast')
      • Atyrau (Gur'yev)
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
          • Kzyl Tau Mt
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Turkey
     
    • Aegean Region
      • Kütahya Province
        • Emet
          • Emet Borate deposit
    		American Mineralogist; April 1979; v. 64; no. 3-4; p. 362-366
    CAHIT HELVACI & RICARDO N. ALONSO (2000) Borate Deposits of Turkey and Argentina; A Summary and Geological Comparison. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 9, 2000, pp. 1-27; American Mineralogist; April 1979; v. 64; no. 3-4; p. 362-366
    • Central Anatolia Region
      • Eskisehir Province
    		CAHIT HELVACI & RICARDO N. ALONSO (2000) Borate Deposits of Turkey and Argentina; A Summary and Geological Comparison. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 9, 2000, pp. 1-27
    • Marmara Region
      • Balikesir Province
    Mining Annual Review(1985):128.
      • Bursa Province
        • Mustafa Kemalpafla
    		CAHIT HELVACI & RICARDO N. ALONSO (2000) Borate Deposits of Turkey and Argentina; A Summary and Geological Comparison. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 9, 2000, pp. 1-27
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
    		Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Report 26, \"Guidebook: Las Vegas to Death Valley and Return,\" Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada - Reno, 1976.
        • Death Valley
          • 20 Mule Team Canyon
    		Am Min (1959) 44:911-919
          • Black Mts
            • Furnace Creek District
    		Foshag, William Frederick (1924a), Famous mineral localities: Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California: American Mineralogist: 9: 9; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 240.
              • Mount Blanco
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    Collected it in the mine-Rock Currier
          • Death Valley National Monument
            • Furnace Creek Borate District
    		Foshag, William Frederick (1924a), Famous mineral localities: Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California: American Mineralogist: 9: 8-10; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1928), Hydroboracite from California Festschrift Victor Goldschmidt: 256-262, Heidelberg: 256; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 221.
            • Greenwater Range
              • Furnace Creek Borate District
                • Amargosa Valley
    		Countryman, R.I. (1977), Hydroboracite from the Amargosa Desert, eastern California: Min. Rec.: 8: 503; Pemberton, H. Earl (1978) Hydroboracite from the Furnace Creek formation. Mineralogical Record: 9: 246, 379-381; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California: 240-241.
    Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
    www.mineralsocal.org
    Rock Currier, Collected them in the mine.; Rock Currier
    Countryman, R.L. (1977): Hydroboracite from the Amargosa desert, eastern California. Mineralogical Record 8, 503-504
      • Kern Co.
        • Kramer District
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral Information Service" V. 22 N. 9 Sept 1969
                • Baker mine
    		Collection Elmar Lackner
    Have collected them in the mine-Rock Currier
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 7th Nov 2009 11:49:58