Kurnakovite

Kurnakovite is a hydrated borate of magnesium with the chemical composition MgB3O3(OH)5·5H2O. It is a member of the inderite group and is a triclinic dimorph of the monoclinic inderite.[2]

Kurnakovite
Kurnakovite from Boron, California
General
CategoryNesoborates
Formula
(repeating unit)		MgB3O3(OH)5·5H2O
Strunz classification6.CA.20
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP1
Unit cella = 8.3479(1)
b = 10.6068(1)
c = 6.4447(1) [Å]
α = 98.846°, β = 108.981°
γ = 105.581°; Z = 2
Identification
ColorWhite; colorless in transmitted light
Crystal habitAggregates of prismatic crystals
TwinningTwinning uncommon
CleavagePoor to indistinct on {010}
Mohs scale hardness​2 1⁄2 - 3
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity1.847 - 1.852
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.488 - 1.491 nβ = 1.508 - 1.510 nγ = 1.515 - 1.525
Birefringenceδ = 0.027 - 0.034
2V angleMeasured: 60° to 80°
References[1][2][3]

Discovery and occurrence

Kurnakovite, was first described by Godlevsky in 1940 for an occurrence in the Inder borate deposits in Atyrau Province, Kazakhstan, and is named for Russian mineralogist and chemist Nikolai Semenovich Kurnakov (1860–1941).[1]

In addition to the type locality in Kazakhstan, kurakovite has also been reported from the Zhacang-Caka brine lake, Tibet; the Kirka borate deposit, Kiitahya Province, Turkey; the Kramer borate deposit, Boron, Kern County, California; Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, California; and the Tincalayu borax deposit, Salar del Hombre Muerto, Salta Province, Argentina.[1][2]

Properties

Kurnakovite has triclinic - pinacodial crystallography. It forms as rough, prismatic crystals, typically in dense aggregates. Kurnakovite has distinct cleavage and a conchoidal fracture. Its tenacity is brittle and it ranges between 2.5 – 3 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is not soluble in water, though it will start dissolving in warm acid. Kurnakovite is usually colorless or white and either transparent or translucent. It has a vitreous, pearly luster and a refractive index of between 1.488 - 1.525.[1][2][3]

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References
  1. Handbook of Mineralogy
  2. Mindat.org
  3. Webmineral data
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