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 — that is 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.
