Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Probertite

Big Photo

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
© Peter Haas

Show Probertite Photos (12)
Formula:
NaCaB
 
5
O
 
7
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless; colourless ...
Hardness:3½
Name:After Fran H. Probert, Dean of the Mining College, University of California.
This page provides mineralogical data about Probertite.

Classification of Probertite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/J.05-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.EB.15

6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
B : Ino-pentaborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.5.12.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.3.20

9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3285.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Probertite

Type Locality: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
Year of Discovery:1929

Physical Properties of Probertite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {110}.
Density (measured):2.14 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.13 g/cm3

Crystallography of Probertite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 13.43Å, b = 12.57Å, c = 6.58Å
β = 100.25°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.068 : 1 : 0.523
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,093.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals aggregated into rosettes or radal groups of needles or laths. Spherulitic; as tough, compactly reticulated aggregates. Single crystals rare. Crystals acicular [001], commonly flattened {100} (slightly to considerably); also flattened {110}, rare. Faces "b," "a," and "m" usually striated [001] and rounded.
Twinning:Doubtful under the microscope.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

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

Optical Data of Probertite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.514 nβ = 1.524 nγ = 1.543
2V:Measured: 73° , Calculated: 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.029

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 Probertite

Formula:
NaCaB
 
5
O
 
7
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, Ca, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, H, Na, O

Relationship of Probertite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.EB.05Larderellite
(NH
 
4
)B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
6.EB.10Ezcurrite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
·7H
 
2
O
6.EB.20Tertschite
Ca
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
19
·20H
 
2
O
6.EB.25Priceite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
7
(OH)
 
5
·H
 
2
O
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
9.3.21Ulexite
NaCa[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
] · 5H
 
2
O
9.3.22Hydroboracite
CaMg[B
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
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 Probertite

Synonyms:
BoyditeKramerite
Other Languages:
German:Kramerit
Probertit
Russian:Пробертит
Spanish:Kramerita
Probertita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in dilute acids. Partially decomposed in hot or cold water, with Na being leached relative to Ca.
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 Probertite

Reference List:Eakle, A.S. (1929), Probertite, a new borate, American Mineralogist: 14: 427-430.

Schaller (1929) USGS Professional Paper 158: 137.

Foshag (1931) American Mineralogist: 16: 338.

Barnes (1949) American Mineralogist: 34: 19, 611.

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: 343-345.

Clark, J.R. & C.L. Christ (1959), Studies of borate minerals, V: Reinvestigation of the X-ray crystallography of ulexite and probertite: American Mineralogist: 44: 712-719.

Rumanova, I.M., Kurbanova, K.M., and Belov, N.V. (1966) Determination of the crystal structure of probertite CaNa[B5O7(OH)4]. Soviet Physics-Crystallography: 10: 513-522.

Acta Crystallographica (1982): B38: 3072-3075.

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

Internet Links for Probertite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Probertite on Google
  • Look for Probertite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Probertite on Webmineral
  • Look for Probertite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Probertite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Probertite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Probertite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Probertite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality specimens
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Probertite specimens
  • Search for - Probertite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Probertite

    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
    		Bull. Soc. Franç. Minéralo. Cristallo. , 1974, 97, p. 497.
    Canada
     
    • Nova Scotia
      • Hants Co.
    		CanRockhound v.6, n.1 (2001)
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Canchas
    		American Mineralogist: 79: 1003-1008.
    • Tarapacá Region
      • Iquique Province
    		American Mineralogist: 79: 1003-1008.
    Germany
     
    • 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
    Turkey
     
    • Marmara Region
      • Balikesir Province
        • Bigadiç
    		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
      • 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
          • Black Mts
            • Furnace Creek District
    		Mineralogical Record: 27: 35-40.
          • Death Valley National Monument
            • Furnace Creek Borate District
              • Ryan
    		Am Min (1931), 16:338-341
    Am Min (1931), 16:338-341
    Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
        • Saratoga District (Tecopa Mountain District; Shoshone District ?)
          • Shoshone
    		Nolan, Thomas Brennan (1964), Geological Survey Research 1963, Summary of investigations: USGS PP 475-A: 11; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 153.
      • Kern Co.
        • Kramer District
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral Information Service" V. 22 N. 10 Oct 1969
    Amer.Min.(1928) 13, 452-453; Nickel & Nichols (1991) Mineral Reference Maual
    P Haas collection
    Have collected them in the mine-Rock Currier
      • Los Angeles Co.
    		Foshag, William Frederick (1918), Ulexite from Lang, California: American Mineralogist: 3: 35; Foshag, William Frederick (1921), The origin of the colemanite deposits of California: Economic Geology: 16: 199-214; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 377.
          • Tick Canyon
    		Rui Nunes 28th March, 2007
    • Oklahoma
      • Blaine Co.
        • Southard
        • Watonga
    		Rocks & Min. vol. 72 (1997)
      • Custer Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals: 72(4): 252-264.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    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: 8th Nov 2009 10:35:54