Inderite

Inderite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O
IMA symbolIdr[1]
Strunz classification6.CA.15
Dana classification26.3.1.3
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
Space groupP21/b
Unit cell1,041.64 ų
Identification
Formula mass279.85
ColorColorless, white, pink; colorless in transmitted light
CleavagePerfect on {010}, on {110} good
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness2.5 – 3
LusterVitreous, greasy, pearly, dull
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Density1.8
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.488 nβ = 1.491 nγ = 1.505
Birefringence0.017
PleochroismNone
2V angleMeasured 37°, calculated 52°
DispersionWeak, r > v
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone
SolubilitySoluble in hydrochloric acid
Other characteristicsPearly on cleavages

Inderite, also known as lesserite, is a mineral that was named after its source, the Inder lake, near the Inder Mountains in Kazakhstan.[2] The samples were described in English by the soviet mineralogist Boldyreva in 1937. It is a rare secondary mineral but common in salt, potassium and borate deposits.

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ "Inderite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2021-04-18.