Kurnakovite is a rare magnesium borate mineral typically found in evaporite deposits. It often forms clear, short prismatic crystals or massive, granular aggregates and is noted for its perfect cleavage and light weight.
Is this kurnakovite?
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 kurnakovite with a known reference. Kurnakovite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: crystalline.
Often confused with
Kurnakovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kurnakovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kurnakovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgB₃O₃(OH)₅·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 1.847-1.862 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline
- Cleavage
- Good on {110}; indistinct on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon mineral, typically in lake-bed borate deposits
Where rockhounds find kurnakovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kramer borate deposit, Boron, Kern Co., California, USA
- Inder borate deposit, Kazakhstan
- Zhacang-Caka brine lake, and others, Qinghai Province and Xizang, Tibet, China
- Kirka borate deposit, Kiitahya Province, Turkey
- Tincalayu borax deposit, Salar del Hombre Muerto, Salta Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon mineral, typically in lake-bed borate deposits. If you start seeing szaibelyite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kurnakovite?+
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Find kurnakovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
