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
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
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Kaliborite
Mindat Formula:
KMg2H[B6O8(OH)5]2(H2O)4
Element Weights:
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
Synonyms of Kaliborite
Other Language Names for Kaliborite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.FB.05 | Aristarainite | Na2MgB12O20 · 8H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 5.4563% | 1,691 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
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
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Kaliborite
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 | |
| 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-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Inder B deposit and salt dome, Inder District, Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan