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Name Origin | Kurnakovite color stone is named after N. S. Kurnakov, Russian mineralogist and chemist. |
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Chemical Formula | Mg2B6O11 . 15H2O |
Color | Colorless, with a white surface coating. |
Hardness | 2.5- 3 on Mohs Scale |
Crystal System | Triclinic. Crystals large and blocky, often in clusters; large cleavable masses; aggregates. |
Cleavage | good 1 directions; fracture conchoidal; brittle. |
Specific Gravity (SG) | 1.78 - 1.85 |
Pleochroism | None |
Luster | Vitreous |
Stone sizes |
California material could yield stones of several hundred carats from large transparent masses or cleavages. |
Spectral | Not diagnostic |
Note: Kurnakovite, was first described by Godlevsky in 1940 for an occurrence in the Inder borate deposits in Atyrau Province, Kazakhstan. Kurnakovite is similar to inderite. Both are colorless and very uninteresting as faceted gemstones, which is why very few have been cut. The material is obtainable in large size, but softness and cleavage make cutting a real chore.