Name/Title
BoraxEntry/Object ID
2009.62.71Description
Chemical Composition: Na2B4O7 -10H2O
Crystal System: Orthorhombic System
Description: Common Name: Borax
Chemistry: Na2B4O7 -10H2O, Hydrated sodium borate.
Group: Carbonates
Location: Borax-Boron, CA, USA
Desription: Translucent soft white pyramidal crystals grouped tightly together.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is white to clear.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m
Crystal Habits include the blocky to prismatic crystals with a nearly square cross section. Also massive and as crusts.
Cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 2 - 2.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 1.7 (very light)
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals are calcite, halite, hanksite, colemanite, ulexite and other borates.
Other Characteristics: a sweet alkaline taste, alters to chalky white tincalconite with dehydration.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, associations, locality, density and hardness.
Fracture: conchoidal
Hardness: 3 Calcite
Luster: Vitreous
Occurrence: Borax is a complex borate mineral that is found in playa lakes and other evaporite deposits.
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 2.2
Streak: white
Variety: Borax is directly deposited in arid regions from the evaporation of water in intermittent lakes called playas. The playas form only during rainy seasons due to runoff from adjacent mountains. The runoff is rich in the element boron and is highly concentrated by evaporation in the arid climate. Eventually the concentration is so great that crystals of borax and other boron minerals form.Collection
RAGM Mineral CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.62Source or Donor
Museum Collection of MineralsAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Height
2 inWidth
2-3/4 inLength
6-1/2 inWeight
21.58 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Category
PermanentMoved By
Curtis GardnerDate
May 24, 2023Notes
Added current locationLocation
Container
RightDrawer
TopShelf
Right, RightWall
South wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Steve MillerDate
January 15, 2010Location
Container
RightDrawer
TopShelf
Right, RightWall
South wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Steve MillerDate
January 15, 2010