Szaibelyite is a magnesium borate mineral typically found as fibrous, white to gray botryoidal or nodular masses in evaporite deposits. Collectors often identify it by its soft, chalky appearance and its association with other borate minerals in arid environments.
Is this szaibelyite?
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 szaibelyite with a known reference. Szaibelyite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Szaibelyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Szaibelyite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, acicular, radiating masses, nodular.
Often confused with
Szaibelyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside szaibelyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with szaibelyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂B₂O₅·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Acicular, Radiating Masses, Nodular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits, Sedimentary Borate Beds
- Typical price
- $10-50 per specimen
Where rockhounds find szaibelyite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Rézbánya, Romania
- Kurnakov, Russia
- Death Valley, California USA
- Inder, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits, sedimentary borate beds country — that is the host setting where szaibelyite typically forms. If you start seeing magnesite, colemanite, borax in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, acicular, radiating masses, nodular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah — start trip planning there.
More szaibelyite photos
Common questions
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Find szaibelyite on the map
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