Borax | |
Chemical Formula |
Na2B4O5OH4·8H2O |
Species |
Borates |
Crystal System |
Monoclinic |
Mohs Scale |
2 |
Color |
Colourless, grey, white, yellowish, seldom bluish or greenish; colourless in transmitted light. |
Streak |
White |
Luster |
Vitreous, Resinous, Earthy |
Refractive Index |
n = 1.447 n = 1.469 n = 1.472 |
Diaphaneity |
Translucent, Opaque |
Cleavage |
PerfectOn perfect; on less perfect; on in traces. |
Fracture |
Conchoidal |
Crystal Habit:Crystals commonly short-prismatic and often rather tabular . Prominent zones and . Faces "m," "o," and "z" often striated parallel to . Crystals often malformed through abnormal development of part of one or more zones. | |
Geological Setting:In evaporite deposits, salt lakes, playas, and efflorescences on soils in arid regions, in solution in hot springs. |