Chelkarite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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Formula:
CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1
Colour:
Colorless
Specific Gravity:
2.21
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for the Chelkar salt dome, Kazakhstan, where it was discovered.
This page provides mineralogical data about Chelkarite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
985
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:985:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
84b32372-b109-4f3c-a57b-d082d216189f
IMA Classification of Chelkarite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaMgB2O4Cl2 · 7H2O (?)
First published:
1968
Classification of Chelkarite
6.H0.05
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
26.7.2.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
10.1.15
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
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 |
---|---|---|
Cka | 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 Chelkarite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to elongation, so mineral breaks into needles
Parallel to elongation, so mineral breaks into needles
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.21 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Chelkarite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.520 nγ = 1.558
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
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 to moderate
Chemistry of Chelkarite
Mindat Formula:
CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1
Crystallography of Chelkarite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.69 Å, b = 20.84 Å, c = 8.26 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.657 : 1 : 0.396
Unit Cell V:
2,356.57 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
10
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.531 Å | (100) |
10.42 Å | (90) |
2.209 Å | (80) |
4.96 Å | (70) |
2.029 Å | (70) |
6.68 Å | (50) |
4.19 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Chelkarite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Flattened long prismatic crystals to 15 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Carnallite-bischofite rock at a salt dome.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Avrova, N.P., Bocharov, V.M., Khalturina, I.I., Yunosova, Z.R. (1968) Mineralogy of borates in halogen formations. Geology and Exploration of Solid Mineral Deposits of Kazakhstan: 1969: 169-173.
Other Language Names for Chelkarite
German:Chelkarit
Spanish:Chelkarita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
6.H0.20 | Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
6.H0.25 | Wardsmithite | Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O |
6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
6.H0.50 | Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
6.H0.55 | Qilianshanite | NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O |
Other Information
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 Chelkarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-985.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Chelkarite
Reference List:
Localities for Chelkarite
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.
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
|