Strontioborite is a very rare borate mineral found in evaporite environments. It typically appears as small, colorless to white tabular crystals and is known almost exclusively from the Inder salt dome in Kazakhstan.
Is this strontioborite?
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 strontioborite with a known reference. Strontioborite 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. Strontioborite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Strontioborite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Strontioborite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside strontioborite
Minerals reported to co-occur with strontioborite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrB₆O₁₀·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find strontioborite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inder salt dome, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where strontioborite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, sylvite, borax 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 strontioborite?+
Where is strontioborite found?+
How much is strontioborite worth?+
What rocks look like strontioborite?+
What minerals are found with strontioborite?+
What kind of rock does strontioborite form in?+
What is strontioborite used for?+
Find strontioborite on the map
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