White crystals of the rare borate mineral kaliborite from one of the few known localities worldwide: Inder B Deposit, Atyrau, Atyrau Oblysy, Kazakhstan. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kaliborite
Kaliborite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula KHMg₂B₁₂O₁₆(OH)₁₀·4H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4–4.5; specific gravity 2.128; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Kbo, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1889.
An uncommon component in marine potash deposits; rarely in efflorescences.
It is found associated with Boracite, pinnoite, kainite (Germany); anhydrite, halite (Inder deposit, Kazakhstan).
The name refers to potassium, KALIum, and BORate in the composition.