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Hydroboracite

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

Show Hydroboracite Photos (34)



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 Province (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
(HB
 
2
O
 
5
)(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
[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
4
(OH)
 
2
9.3.7Frolovite
Ca[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
9.3.8Korzhinskite
Ca(B
 
2
O
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
9.3.9Tyretskite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
9
OH · H
 
2
O
9.3.10Nifontovite
Ca(B
 
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[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
4
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:Hidroboracita

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
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Hydroboracite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Hydroboracite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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
      • Sijes
    		www.sijes.com.ar
    www.sijes.com.ar
    www.sijes.com.ar
    http://www.irocks.com/Inyoite.html
    Garrett, D.E. (1998): Borates - Handbook of Deposits, Processing, Properties and Use. Academic Press (San Diego, London), 475 pp.
    Galliski, M.A., et al (2010) Canadian Mineralogist, 48, 123-128.
    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.
        • Cardwell Parish
          • Penobsquis
    		Canadian Mineralogist (2002): 40: 1675-1686.
        • Studholm Parish
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1469-1487.
    China
     
    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Da Qaidam (Dachaidan) Co.
    		Keqin Cai and Ziqiang Qian (1982): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 2(4), 290-295
    • 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
        • Egeln
          • 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
     
    • Aktobe Province (Aqtöbe Oblysy; Aktubinskaya Oblast')
      • Aksai Valley
    • Atyrau Province (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
          • Mt Kzyl-tau
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Turkey
     
    • Aegean Region
      • Kütahya Province
        • Emet
          • Doğanlar village
    		J. García-Veigas, L. Rosell, X. Alcobé, I. Subias, F. Ortí, I. Gündogan and C. Helvaci (2010) Fontarnauite, a New Sulphate-Borate Mineral from the Emet Borate District (Turkey). Macla 13, 97-98.
          • 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
      • Eskişehir 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.
        • Death Valley National Park
          • Amargosa Valley
    		Countryman, R.L. (1977): Hydroboracite from the Amargosa desert, eastern California. Mineralogical Record 8, 503-504; Pemberton, H. Earl (1978) Hydroboracite from the Furnace Creek formation. Mineralogical Record: 9: 379-381; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 240; www.mineralsocal.org.
          • Death Valley
    		Collected it in the mine-Rock Currier
    Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
          • Furnace Creek District (Furnace Creek Borate District)
            • Black Mts
              • Mount Blanco
    		www.mineralsocal.org
            • Twenty Mule Team Canyon
    		Erd, R.C., J.F. McAllister & H. Almond (1959), Gowerite, a new hydrous calcium borate from Death Valley, California: American Mineralogist: 44: 911-919.
          • Ryan area
    		Countryman, R.I. (1977), Hydroboracite from the Amargosa Desert, eastern California: Mineralogical Record: 8: 503-504; Pemberton, H. Earl (1978) Hydroboracite from the Furnace Creek formation. Mineralogical Record: 9: 379-381.; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 240, 255; 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.
    Rock Currier, Collected them in the mine.; Rock Currier
        • Furnace Creek District (Furnace Creek Borate District)
          • Black Mts
    		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.
    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.
          • Ryan
            • 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.
      • Kern Co.
        • Kramer District
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    Pemberton, H. Earl, Wm. Moller, Jack Schwartz & George Masimer (1960), The minerals of Boron, California, 40 pp. (Published by the Mineral Research Soc. of California, Montebello, CA): 29; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 221; Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral Information Service" V. 22 N. 9 Sept 1969
    Morgan, V. and Erd, R.C. (1969) Minerals of the Kramer borate district, California California Division of Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 22: 152; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 241.
      • Ventura Co.
        • San Emigdio Mts
          • Ventura County Borate District (Stauffer District)
            • Lake of the Woods area
              • Lockwood Valley
    		Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 221.
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