| Bakerite | |
|---|---|
 Bakerite sample | |
| General | |
| Category | Nesosilicate |
| Formula | Ca4B4(BO4)(SiO4)3(OH)3·H2O |
| Strunz classification | 9.AJ.20 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/c |
| Unit cell | a = 4.85 Å, b = 7.627 Å, c = 9.659 Å; β = 90.255°; Z = 1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless, white |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4+1⁄2 |
| Luster | Vitreous, dull |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.88 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.624 nβ = 1.635 nγ = 1.654 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.030 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 87° to 88° |
Bakerite is the common name given to hydrated calcium boro-silicate hydroxide, a borosilicate mineral (chemical formula Ca4B4(BO4)(SiO4)3(OH)3·(H2O)) that occurs in volcanic rocks in the Baker, California area.1 Discredited mineral: IMA2016-A.
It was first described in 1903 for an occurrence in the Corkscrew Canyon Mine of the Black Mountains, Furnace Creek District, Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, California, US.2 It was named for Richard C. Baker, a director of the Pacific Coast Borax Company.34
References
References
- "Bakerite mineral data". WebMineral.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- Mindat.org
- Handbook of Mineralogy
- Hildebrand, GH. (1982) Borax Pioneer: Francis Marion Smith. San Diego: Howell-North Books. p. 89. (ISBN 0-8310-7148-6)