Mineralpedia Details for Inderite

Named for the type locality near Inder Lake in Kazakhstan. A rare mineral, localities for Inderite include in, additionally, the United States, Argentina, and Turkey, as well as newer localities in China, Russia, and Italy. Inderite occurs as a primary mineral in lacustrine borate deposits. Associated minerals include hydroboracite, borax, ulexite, orpiment, realgar, and kurnakovite. Primary hydrated Borate found in white (altered) to clear prismatic crystals. Most notable from Boron, California.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/inderite.pdf

Formula

MgB₃O₃(OH)₅·5H₂O 

Crystal System

Monoclinic 

Crystal Habit

Euhedral Crystals, Massive 

Cleavage

Good, None, None 

Luster

Vitreous (Glassy) 

Color

colorless, white, pink 

Streak

white 

Class

Monoclinic - Prismatic 

Fracture

Uneven 

Hardness

2.5 

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Inderite is a relatively rare hydrated magnesium borate found at only two US localities and just a handful worldwide. It is a primary borate with elongated clear prismatic crystals the length of the entire specimen (9cm) with surface alterations.