Szaibélyite is a secondary borate mineral typically forming as dense, fibrous white or grayish masses or radiating acicular aggregates. It is frequently found in evaporite sedimentary deposits where it replaces other primary borate minerals during alteration processes.
Is this szaibélyite?
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 szaibélyite with a known reference. Szaibélyite 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. Szaibélyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Szaibélyite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellowish, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous, radiating, earthy, or massive aggregates.
Often confused with
Szaibélyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside szaibélyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with szaibélyite. 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
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Radiating, Earthy, Or Massive Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Borate Deposits, Sedimentary Salt Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-40 thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find szaibélyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Szaibély, Hungary
- California, USA
- Kazakhstan
- China
Field-hunting tip
Look in borate deposits, sedimentary salt deposits country — that is the host setting where szaibélyite typically forms. If you start seeing magnesite, borax, kernite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, radiating, earthy, or massive aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify szaibélyite?+
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How much is szaibélyite worth?+
What rocks look like szaibélyite?+
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Find szaibélyite on the map
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