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Ulexite

Big Photo

U.S. Borax Open Pit Mine, Boron, Kramer District, Kern Co., California, USA
© 2002 John H. Betts

Show Ulexite Photos (21)
Formula:
NaCa[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
] · 5H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless, white, gray ...
Lustre:Vitreous, SilkyHardness:2½
Name:Named after George Ludwig Ulex (1811-1883), German chemist, who first correctly analyzed the species.


Called the "TV" rock or "television stone" for its ability to transmit images through natural fibers. This habit is a natural fiber optic.

Typically occurs in arid regions.

Classification of Ulexite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.14-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.EA.25

6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
A : Neso-pentaborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.5.11.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.3.21

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

Type Locality:Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1850
Geological Setting of type material:Playas in a desert region.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
PickeringiteNitratineHaliteGlauberite

Occurrences of Ulexite

Geological Setting:Arid regions. In salt playas and desiccated saline lakes.

Physical Properties of Ulexite

Lustre:Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, gray with included clays.
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {010}; on {110} good; on {110} poor.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Comment:Fracture uneven across fibers.
Density (measured):1.955 g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.955 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ulexite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 8.816(3) Å, b = 12.87Å, c = 6.678(1) Å
α = 90.25°, β = 109.12°, γ = 105.1°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.685 : 1 : 0.519
Unit Cell Volume:V 687.83 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Small nodular, rounded, or lens-like masses; loose at times (termed "cotton balls"), comprised of acicular crystals. Fibers may be radially arranged or randoly oriented towards the centers of the masses and arranged in parallel position at the periphery. Botryoidal crusts or randomly oriented fibers. Compact veins with a parallel fibrous structure. Distinct crystals rare, greatly elongated [001] (Palache et al (1951) Dana's System of Min.: 345).
Twinning:Polysynthetic, common in massive aggregates and crushed fragments. Several twin laws apply: 1. Polysynthetic on {010} and {100}; 2. {340} or {230} less certain, and others of a more complex nature.
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 Ulexite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.491 - 1.496 nβ = 1.504 - 1.506 nγ = 1.519 - 1.520
2V:Measured: 73° to 78°, Calculated: 68°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.028

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Ulexite

Formula:
NaCa[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
] · 5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, Ca, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, H, Na, O

Relationship of Ulexite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
6.EA.05Sborgite
Na[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
6.EA.05IMA2007-047
Pb
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
9
]Cl·0.5H
 
2
O
6.EA.10Santite
K[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
6.EA.15Ammonioborite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
9.3.1Calciborite
Ca[B
 
2
O
 
4
]
9.3.2Sibirskite
Ca
 
2
[B
 
2
O
 
5
] · H
 
2
O
9.3.3Fabianite
CaB
 
3
O
 
5
OH
9.3.4Uralborite
Ca[B
 
2
O
 
2
(OH)
 
4
]
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
9.3.22Hydroboracite
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)
 
2
|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 Ulexite

Synonyms:
Boronatro-calciteCotton-ball BoraxCryptomorphite (of How)FranklanditeHayesine (of Forbes)
HayesiteNatroborocalciteNatronborocalciteRaphiteStiberite
Television Stone
German names:
BoronatrocalcitFranklanditHayesitNatroborocalcitNatronkalk-borat
RaphitStiberitTinkalzitUlexit
Japanese names:
電視石
Russian names:
Улексит
Spanish names:
BoronatrocalcitaFranklanditaHayesitaNatroborocalcitaRaphita
StiberitaTizaUlexita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Yellow, greenish yellow, cream, white.
Other Information:Slightly decomposed in cold water and more so in hot water, with the loss of Na to the solution.
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 Ulexite

Reference List:Hayes (1844) American Journal of Science: 46: 377 (as Hydrous borate of lime).

Hayes (1844) American Journal of Science: 47: 215.

Hausmann, J.F.L. (1847) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition, vol. 2, in two parts: 1429 (as Hydroborocalcite)

Ulex (1849) Ann. Chem. Pharm.: 70: 49 (as Boronatro-calcite).

Dana, J.D. (1850) System of Mineralogy, 3rd. Edition, New York: 217 (as Hayesine), 695.

Kletzinsky (1859) Polyt. Centr.: 1384 (as Tinkalzit).

How (1861) American Journal of Science: 32: 9 (as Cryptomorphite).

Des Cloizeaux, A. (1874) Manuel de minéralogie. 2 volumes and Atlas, Paris, volume 2, 1 Fasc., 208pp.: 10.

How (1877) Mineralogical Magazine: 1: 257.

Reynolds (1877) Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: 3: 284 (as Franklandite).

Buttgenbach (1900-1901) Société géologique de Belgique, Liége, Annales, 28, Mem. 99.

de Schulten (1901) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 132: 1576.

van't Hoff (1907) Preuss. Ak. Wiss., Sitzber.: 303.

Foshag (1918) American Mineralogist: 3: 35.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 148.

Walker (1921) University of Toronto Stud., Geology series, no. 12: 54.

Mellor, J.W. (1924) A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry. 16 volumes, London: 5: 94.

Hintze, Carl (1933) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1, [4A]: 156.

Boky (1937) Bulletin de Académy des sciences de l'Union des Républiques Soviétiques Socialistes, Cl. sc. mat. nat., Ser. chim.: 871.

Godlevsky (1937) Mineralogicheskoe Obshchestvo, Leningrad, Zapiski: 66(2): 315 (Min. Abs. (1938): 7: 122).

Murdoch, Joseph (1940), The crystallography of ulexite: Am. Min.: 25: 754-762 …(abstract): American Mineralogist: 25: 210-211.

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: 345-348.

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.

Weichel-Moore, E.J. and Potter, R.J. (1963) Fibre optical properties of ulexite. Nature: 200: 1163-1165.

Papezik, V.S. and Fong, C.C.K. (1975) Howlite and ulexite from the Carboniferous gypsum and anhydrite beds in western Newfoundland. Canadian Mineralogist: 13: 370-376.

Ghose, S., C. Wan & J.R. Clark (1978), Ulexite, NaCaB5O6(OH)6•5H2O: structure refinement, polyanion configuration, hydrogen bonding and fiber optics: American Mineralogist: 63: 160-171.

Canadian Mineralogist (1981): 19: 291.

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.: 722.

Internet Links for Ulexite

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  • Look for Ulexite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Ulexite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Ulexite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Ulexite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Ulexite

    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.
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    (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
     
    • Jujuy
      • Coranzuli
    • Jujuy Province
    		No reference listed
    • Salta
      • Salar Del Hombre Muerto
      • Sijes
    Alfredo Petrov specimen
    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: 347.
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Nor Lípez Province
    		Federico Ahlfeld y Jorge Munoz Reyes (1955) Las Especies Minerales de Bolivia. (Banco Minero de Bolivia)
      • Sud Lípez Province
    		USGS Bulletin # 1975, p. 254 (1992)
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Kings Co.
        • Sussex
          • Cardwell Parish
            • Penobsquis
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1981): 19: 291-301.
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Newfoundland
    		No reference listed
    • Nova Scotia
      • Hants Co.
        • Martock
          • Brookville farm
    		No reference listed
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • El Loa Province
        • Ollagüe
    		Am Min 63:814-823
      • Tocopilla Province
        • Oficina Maria Elena
    		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: 646.
    • Coquimbo Region
    		No reference listed
    • Tarapacá Region
    		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: 347; American Mineralogist (1959): 44: 712.
    China
     
    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Dulan Co.
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Ngari Prefecture
        • Gê'gyai Co.
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    J.W. Anthony, R.A. Bideaux, K.W. Bladh, M.C. Nichols: Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. V (2003)
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • North Hesse
        • Rotenburg an der Fulda
          • Alheim
    		Natural History Museum Vienna collection
    • Saarland
      • Saarlouis
        • Rammelfangen
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Thuringia
      • Harz Mts
        • Ellrich
          • Appenrode
    		http://www.mffb.de/MFFB_Exkursionsberichte/Harz/Harz.htm
        • Nordhausen
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Iran
     
    • Zanjan Province
      • Dandy District
    		Vachik Hairapetian collection
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Atyrau Oblysy (Atyrau Oblast')
      • Atyrau (Gur'yev)
    		World of Stones #1
    Peru
     
    • Arequipa Department
      • Arequipa Province
        • Arequipa
    		Hyrsl & Rosales (2003), Min. Record 34:251
    Serbia
     
    • Jarandol Basin
      • Balevats
    		S. V. Malinko et al.: New Data on Minerals 39:26-31 (200)
    Turkey
     
    • Aegean Region
      • Kütahya 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
    J.W. Anthony, R.A. Bideaux, K.W. Bladh, M.C. Nichols: Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. V (2003)
    • 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
      • Yozgat Province
    		http://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/T%FCrkei/Eskisehir/Kirka/Sarikaya
    • 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.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Death Valley
          • Furnace Creek District
            • Black Mts
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    American Mineralogist (1979): 64(3-4): 369-375.
    No reference listed
    Am Min 64:3-4 pp 369-375
            • Corkscrew Canyon
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    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: 347.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Kern Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Kramer District
    		www.mineralsocal.org
            • U.S. Borax Mine
    		Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 64, 311
    Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral Information Service" V. 22 N. 10 Oct 1969
    No reference listed
      • Lake Co.
        • Clear Lake Oaks
          • Clear Lake
    		Korbel & Novak, 1999. Min.Encylopaedia, p.133
      • Los Angeles Co.
        • Lang
          • Tick Canyon
    		Rocks & Min.: 11:156.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Calico-Daggett Borate Area
    		[Murdoch, J & Webb, R (1966) Minerals of California, California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin 189]
        • Calico Mts
          • Calico District
            • Borate
    No reference listed
    Korbel & Novak (1999) Min. Encylopaedia, p.133.
    • Nevada
      • Churchill Co.
    		USBM Inf Circ 7093 (1939)
    USBM Inf Circ 7093 (1939)
      • Clark Co.
        • Muddy Mountains
          • Muddy Mountains District
    		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: 352.
        • Muddy Mountains District
          • White Basin
    Korbel & Novak, 1999. Min.Encylopaedia, p.133.
    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: 347; Rocks & Minerals, Nov. 1999
    NBMG Bull 78 Geology and Mineral Deposits of Esmeralda County, Nevada
    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: 347; Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols, Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 5.
      • Mineral Co.
        • Marietta District
    NBMG Bull 58 Geology and Mineral Resources of Mineral County, Nevada
    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: 347; Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 31, Minerals of Nevada.
      • Nye Co.
        • Spalding Marsh District
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Washoe Co.
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • Oklahoma
      • Blaine Co.
        • Southard
      • Custer Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals: 72(4): 252-264.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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