Kaliborite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Kaliborite
Formula:
KMg2H[B6O8(OH)5]2(H2O)4
Colour:
Colourless, white, reddish brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
2.05 - 2.109
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the chemical composition, containing potassium (Latin = KALIum) and being a BORate.
This page provides mineralogical data about Kaliborite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2136
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2136:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
882a91a6-9be2-4b29-b827-3b7dcf3b1dde
IMA Classification of Kaliborite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
KHMg2B12O16(OH)10 · 4H2O
First published:
1889
Type description reference:
Classification of Kaliborite
6.FB.10
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
B : Ino-hexaborates
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
B : Ino-hexaborates
26.5.13.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
9.2.16
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kbo | 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 Kaliborite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white, reddish brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} and {101}; on {100} good.
{001} and {101}; on {100} good.
Density:
2.05 - 2.109 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Kaliborite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.508 nβ = 1.526 nγ = 1.550
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 82°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.042
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:
Low
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Kaliborite
Mindat Formula:
KMg2H[B6O8(OH)5]2(H2O)4
Crystallography of Kaliborite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.57 Å, b = 8.46 Å, c = 14.68 Å
β = 100.02°
β = 100.02°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.195 : 1 : 1.735
Unit Cell V:
2,271.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Fine-grained nodular masses. Microscopic rhombic scales with plane angles of about 62°, with the acute angle truncated to yield a hexagonal outline at times. Crystals frequently aggregated and with asymmetrical development.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005415 | Kaliborite | Burns P C, Hawthorne F C (1994) Kaliborite: An example of a crystallographically symmetrical hydrogen bond The Canadian Mineralogist 32 885-894 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.22 Å | (100) |
| 6.215 Å | (100) |
| 3.104 Å | (71) |
| 2.488 Å | (71) |
| 3.837 Å | (50) |
| 3.770 Å | (50) |
| 3.359 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Kaliborite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Nodules
Reference:
Feit, W. (1889) Ueber Kaliborit, ein neues Borsäure-Mineral. Chemiker-Zeitung: 13: 1188.
Synonyms of Kaliborite
Other Language Names for Kaliborite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.FB.05 | Aristarainite | Na2MgB12O20 · 8H2O |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Inder material [cm-1]: 3530sh, 3480sh, 3420, 3350, 3300sh, 3180, 3050sh, 1660sh, 1605w, 1480sh, 1427, 1407, 1338s, 1284s, 1260sh, 1206w, 1174, 1104s, 1051s, 1010sh, 975s, 905sh, 886s, 792, 753, 722, 681, 659, 590, 569, 539, 513, 464
Notes:
Partially soluble in water. Readily soluble in acids.
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 Kaliborite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2136.html
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References for Kaliborite
Reference List:
Mrose, Mary E., Schaller, Waldemar T. (1965) The identity of paternoite with kaliborite (K2O·4MgO·11B2O3·18H2O) American Mineralogist, 50 (7-8) 1079-1083
Localities for Kaliborite
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.
Chile | |
| Marta et al. (1996) |
Germany (TL) | |
| Feit (1889) +1 other reference |
| Luedecke (1891) +1 other reference |
| ... | |
Italy | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov (1998) +2 other references |
| Pekov et al. (1993) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Pardillo (1947) +1 other reference |
Turkey | |
| J. García-Veigas et al. (2010) +2 other references |
USA | |
| a spectroscopic exploration. Economic ... +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout KaliboriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Inder B deposit and salt dome, Inder District, Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan