Inderite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Inderite
Inder Lake, Kazakhstan
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:
Visit gemdat.org for 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
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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
Image Loading
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.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
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
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
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) |
Quick NavTopAbout InderiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Rio Tinto Borax open pit, Rio Tinto Borax Mine, Kramer Borate deposit, Boron, Kern County, California, USA