Inderite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Inderite
Formula:
MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white, pink; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly, Dull
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
1.80
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
After the type locality, the Inder Lake, Kazakhstan.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2025
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2025:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a0465d53-7fec-45a4-a366-a98b1c0bb5a6
IMA Classification of Inderite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1937
Classification of Inderite
6.CA.15
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
26.3.1.3
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
9.2.11
9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Idr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Inderite
Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavages.
Colour:
Colourless, white, pink; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010} perfect; on {110} good.
On {010} perfect; on {110} good.
Density:
1.80 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.794 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Inderite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.488 nβ = 1.491 nγ = 1.505
2V:
Measured: 37° , Calculated: 52°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.017
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak r > v
Comments:
X ≃ b; Z ∧ c = 9°.
Chemistry of Inderite
Mindat Formula:
MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Inderite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.0350(8) Å, b = 13.1145(13) Å, c = 6.8221(3) Å
β = 104.49°
β = 104.49°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.918 : 1 : 0.52
Unit Cell V:
1,042.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals tabular with two pinacoidal cleavages (California); acicular, in reniform nodular aggregates (Inder Lake); prismatic (artificial).
Forms include {110}, {120}, and {001}.
Forms include {110}, {120}, and {001}.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009554 | Inderite | Corazza E (1976) Inderite: Crystal structure refinement and relationship to kurnakovite Acta Crystallographica B32 1329-1333 | 1976 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.052 Å | (100) |
3.357 Å | (68) |
5.72 Å | (60) |
6.61 Å | (44) |
2.662 Å | (44) |
2.558 Å | (44) |
5.84 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Geological Setting:
Rarely as a primary mineral in lacustrine borate deposits.
Type Occurrence of Inderite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small nodules or aggregates of minute needles.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite borate deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Inderite
Other Language Names for Inderite
Relationship of Inderite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Inderborite | CaMg(H3B3O7)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Meyerhofferite | CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Solongoite | Ca2(H3B3O7)(OH)Cl | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
25 photos of Inderite associated with Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
16 photos of Inderite associated with Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
14 photos of Inderite associated with Ulexite | NaCa[B5O6(OH)6] · 5H2O |
11 photos of Inderite associated with Nesquehonite | MgCO3 · 3H2O |
8 photos of Inderite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
4 photos of Inderite associated with Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
3 photos of Inderite associated with Tunellite | SrB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O |
3 photos of Inderite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
2 photos of Inderite associated with Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
1 photo of Inderite associated with Ludwigite | Mg2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.CA.10 | Ameghinite | Na(H4B3O7) |
6.CA.20 | Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
6.CA.25 | Inderborite | CaMg(H3B3O7)2 · 8H2O |
6.CA.30 | Meyerhofferite | CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O |
6.CA.35 | Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O |
6.CA.40 | Solongoite | Ca2(H3B3O7)(OH)Cl |
6.CA.45 | Peprossiite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)(Al3O)2/3B4O10 |
6.CA.50 | Nifontovite | Ca3B6O6(OH)12(H2O)2 |
6.CA.55 | Olshanskyite | Ca2[B3O3(OH)6](OH) · 3H2O |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Boron Open Pit material [cm-1]: 3625, 3580, 3470s, 3435s, 3360s, 3260s, 3060sh, 2940sh, 1705sh, 1685, 1650w, 1449, 1405s, 1350s, 1280, 1260sh, 1179, 1134, 1047s, 999s, 870s, 802, 748, 675sh, 657, 620sh, 583, 568, 487w, 347w
Notes:
Insoluble in water. Readily soluble in warm, dilute HCl.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Inderite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2025.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Inderite
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford, Morgan, Vincent (1956) Inderite and gerstleyite from the Kramer borate district, Kern County, California. American Mineralogist, 41 (11-12) 839-843
Frondel, Clifford, Morgan, Vincent, Waugh, J. L. T. (1956) Lesserite, a new borate mineral. American Mineralogist, 41 (11-12) 927-928 (as lesserite)
(1962) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (258) 260-263 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.258.09
Frost, Ray L., López, Andrés, Xi, Yunfei, Lima, Rosa Malena Fernandes, Scholz, Ricardo, Granja, Amanda (2013) The molecular structure of the borate mineral inderite Mg(H4B3O7)(OH)⋅5H2O – A vibrational spectroscopic study. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 116. 160-164 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2013.06.108
Localities for Inderite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Helvaci +3 other references |
| Galliski et al. (2010) |
China | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) +2 other references |
Xiyu Zheng (1994) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +5 other references |
Italy | |
| M.E. Ciriotti (2006) |
Kazakhstan | |
| - (1993) +2 other references |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) |
Turkey | |
| A Summary and Geological Comparison. ... +3 other references |
USA | |
| Erd et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
| www.mineralsocal.org |
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 240. +8 other references | |
Minerals Notes and News (1948) +1 other reference | |
American Mineralogist 41 (1956) | |
Murdoch (1966) | |
Murdoch (1966) |
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Rio Tinto Borax open pit, Rio Tinto Borax Mine, Kramer Borate deposit, Boron, Kern County, California, USA