Carboborite is an extremely rare hydrous calcium magnesium carbonate-borate mineral found in borate-rich salt deposits. Collectors typically identify it by its tabular crystal habit and association with other rarer borate minerals in specialized geological environments.
Is this carboborite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch carboborite with a known reference. Carboborite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Carboborite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Carboborite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Carboborite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside carboborite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carboborite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mg(CO₃)₂(OH)₄·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Borate Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find carboborite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inder Deposit, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in borate deposits country, the host setting where carboborite typically forms. If you start seeing boracite, hydroboracite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify carboborite?+
Where is carboborite found?+
How much is carboborite worth?+
What rocks look like carboborite?+
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Find carboborite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
