Yarzhemskiite is a rare potassium borate that forms colorless thick tabular, short prismatic or equant crystals. It occurs in a halite-sylvite evaporitic rock in a salt dome. Associated minerals include carnallite, polyhalite and gypsum. It was first described from Chelkar salt dome, near Chelkar lake, Western Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan.
Is this yarzhemskiite?
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 yarzhemskiite with a known reference. Yarzhemskiite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yarzhemskiite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yarzhemskiite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: thick tabular, short prismatic or equant crystals.
Often confused with
Yarzhemskiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside yarzhemskiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yarzhemskiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K[B₅O₇(OH)₂]·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.13 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Thick Tabular, Short Prismatic or Equant Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Borate Deposits
Where rockhounds find yarzhemskiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inder Borate Deposit, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary borate deposits country, the host setting where yarzhemskiite typically forms. If you start seeing inderite, halite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a thick tabular, short prismatic or equant crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yarzhemskiite?+
Where is yarzhemskiite found?+
What rocks look like yarzhemskiite?+
What minerals are found with yarzhemskiite?+
What kind of rock does yarzhemskiite form in?+
What is yarzhemskiite used for?+
Find yarzhemskiite on the map
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