Preobrazhenskite is a rare magnesium borate mineral typically found in evaporite deposits. Collectors should look for its distinctive white to yellowish platy or rosette-like aggregates often occurring within borate-rich salt domes.
Is this preobrazhenskite?
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 preobrazhenskite with a known reference. Preobrazhenskite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Preobrazhenskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Preobrazhenskite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates, rosettes.
Often confused with
Preobrazhenskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Preobrazhenskite and vitreous on Hydroboracite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Preobrazhenskite and dull on Priceite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Preobrazhenskite and vitreous on Inderite.
Often found alongside preobrazhenskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with preobrazhenskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃B₁₁O₁₅(OH)₉
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates, Rosettes
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Salt Domes, Borate-bearing Evaporites
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find preobrazhenskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inder Deposit, Kazakhstan
- Kurganta, Uzbekistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in salt domes, borate-bearing evaporites country — that is the host setting where preobrazhenskite typically forms. If you start seeing hydroboracite, inderite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates, rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find preobrazhenskite on the map
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