Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Kernite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

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

Show Kernite Photos (23)



Formula:
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
] · 3H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless to white.
Hardness:2½
Name:After Kern County, California, USA, where it was first discovered.
This page provides mineralogical data about Kernite.

Classification of Kernite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/J.04-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.DB.05

6 : BORATES
D : Tetraborates
B : Ino-tetraborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.4.5.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : Tetraborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.1.6

9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2188.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Kernite

Type Locality:Rich Station, Kramer Borate deposit, Boron, Kramer District, Kern Co., California, USA
Year of Discovery:1927
Geological Setting of type material:Metamorphosed bedded borate deposit in clay-shales.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
UlexiteTincalconiteProbertiteBorax

Occurrences of Kernite

Geological Setting:Sedimentary borate deposits.

Physical Properties of Kernite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Satinly on fibrous cleavages
Colour:Colourless to white.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Flexible
Cleavage:Perfect
On {100} perfect; {001} less perfect; on {201} fair. NOTE: The cleavable masses exhibit a simulated fibrous structure due to development of excellent cleavages. Cleavage fragments usually bent or warped around [001].
Fracture:Splintery
Density (measured):1.906(3) g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.905 g/cm3

Crystallography of Kernite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P2/b {P1 1 2/b} {P2/c} {P1 2/c 1}{P2/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 7.0172(2) Å, b = 9.1582(2) Å, c = 15.6774(5) Å
β = 108.861(2)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.766 : 1 : 1.712
Unit Cell Volume:V 953.41 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals nearly equant, commonly slightly elongated [100] and deeply striated [010], with irregular form development. Wedge-shaped at times or rounded due to repetition of faces. Cleavable masses. Massive.
Twinning:On {011}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Kernite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.454 nβ = 1.472 nγ = 1.488
2V:Measured: 80° , Calculated: 84°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.034

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v distinct

Chemical Properties of Kernite

Formula:
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
] · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Na, O

Relationship of Kernite to other Species

Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.1.1Sassolite
H
 
3
BO
 
3
9.1.2Metaborite
HBO
 
2
9.1.3Diomignite
Li
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
9.1.4Biringuccite
Na
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
8
(OH) · H
 
2
O
9.1.5Nasinite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.1.7Ezcurrite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
 · 7H
 
2
O
9.1.8Tincalconite
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
7
) · 5H
 
2
O
9.1.9Borax
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.1.10Ameghinite
Na(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
9.1.11Sborgite
Na[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.12Aristarainite
Na
 
2
MgB
 
12
O
 
20
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.1.13Santite
K[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.1.14Larderellite
(NH
 
4
)B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
9.1.15Ammonioborite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
9.1.16Rhodizite
(K,Cs)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28

Other Names for Kernite

Synonyms:
Rasorite
Other Languages:
German:Kernit
Russian:Кернит
Simplified Chinese:斜方硼砂
Spanish:Kernita

Other Information

Thermal Behaviour:Alters to metakernite (Na2B4O7·5H2O) upon heating to 100° - 120° C, as a non-reversible change.
Other Information:Slowly soluble in cold water, readily so in hot water.

Alters to tincalconite upon dehydration.
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 Kernite

Reference List:

- +
Palmer (1927) Engineering and Mining Journal: 123: 494 (as rasorite).

Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1927), Kernite, a new sodium borate: American Mineralogist: 12: 24-25.

Schaller (1930) USGS Professional Paper 158: 137.

Garrido, J. (1932), Symmetrie und Raumgruppe des Kernite: Zeitschr. Kristallographie, band 82: 468-470.

Minder (1935) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 92: 301.

Minder, Schulz and Deckert (1935) Die Naturwissenschaften, Berlin: 23: 832.

Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1936), The origin of kernite and borax in the Kramer borate field, California (abstract) American Mineralogist: 21: 192.

Menzel and Schulz (1940) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 245: 157.

Amorós (1947) Inst. Invest. Geol. Barcelona, no. 7.

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: 335-337.

Muessig, S. & R.D. Allen (1957), The hydration of kernite (Na3B4O7·4H2O), American Mineralogist: 42: 699-701.

American Mineralogist (1973): 58: 21-31.

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

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2003) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume V. Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 813pp.: 352.

Best Localities for Kernite

Best of Species:Kernite

Internet Links for Kernite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Kernite on Google
  • Look for Kernite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Kernite on Webmineral
  • Look for Kernite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Kernite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Kernite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Kernite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Kernite specimens
  • Search for - Kernite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Buy minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Find Kernite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Search for Kernite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Kernite

    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.
    Antarctica
     
    • Buckley Island quadrangle
    		Fitzpatrick, J.J., Muhs, D.R. (1990) Antarctic Journal of the United States, 24 (5), 63-65.
    Argentina
     
    • Salta
      • Salar Del Hombre Muerto
    		Am Min 58:308-313
    Turkey
     
    • 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
    USA
     
    • California
      • Kern Co.
        • Kramer District
    		Rock Currier collection
    Schaller, Waldemar Theodore (1927), Kernite, a new sodium borate: American Mineralogist: 12: 24; Eakle, Arthur Starr (1929), Probertite, a new borate: American Mineralogist: 14: 427; Morgan, V. and Erd, R.C. (1969) Minerals of the Kramer borate district, California California Division of Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 22(9): 147-148, 153, 169; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 259.
    American Mineralogist (1927): 12: 24-25.
    Am Min 49:543-555
      • San Bernardino Co.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 9th Apr 2013 22:13:27
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds