⚠ Safety & Handling
💧water-sensitivehigh
Borate; alters with humidity.
Handling: Sealed dry case.
Information provided in good faith. Consult local hazmat regulations for transport and disposal. Severely hazardous specimens may require special storage cabinets.
Mohs 2.5–3
Vickers (~) 170 HV
Knoop (~) 185 HK
Geological setting
SedimentaryEvaporite
Element composition by mass
Formula: Na₂B₄O₆(OH)₂·3H₂O · molar mass: 237.24 g/mol
| O | 60.69% | |
| Na | 19.38% | |
| B | 18.23% | |
| H | 1.7% |
Computed from atomic weights (IUPAC 2021). Site-occupancy groups (Fe,Mn) split equally.
Mohs Hardness
2.5–3
Kernite sits at 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale — can be scratched by a steel knife.
Colors:
Streak
White
White
Crystal system
Monoclinic
Monoclinic
BoratesBorates
TL;DR · 1 min read
Kernite (Na₂B₄O₆(OH)₂·3H₂O) is a hydrated sodium borate and the principal industrial ore of boron at the famous Boron Mine (Kern County, California) — supplying much of the world's boron used in glass, ceramics, and detergents. Discovered in 1926, Kernite forms massive aggregates with prismatic to columnar crystal habit.
Kernite (Na₂B₄O₆(OH)₂·3H₂O) is a hydrated sodium borate and the principal industrial ore of boron at the famous Boron Mine (Kern County, California) — supplying much of the world’s boron used in glass, ceramics, and detergents. Discovered in 1926, Kernite forms massive aggregates with prismatic to columnar crystal habit.