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Reference.org
Borate mineral
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<p>The Borate Minerals are <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">minerals</a> which contain a <a href="/facts/Borate/5XwkBTv1">borate</a> <a href="/facts/Anion/wrbwhF3z">anion</a> group. The borate (BO3) units may be <a href="/facts/Polymer/eF32E50K">polymerised</a> similar to the SiO4 unit of the <a href="/facts/Silicate_mineral/WclrQW2I">silicate mineral</a> class. This results in B2O5, B3O6, B2O4 anions as well as more complex structures which include <a href="/facts/Hydroxide/zW0wxpWD">hydroxide</a> or <a href="/facts/Halogen/YeFgWHeA">halogen</a> anions. The [B(O,OH)4]− anion exists as well. </p><p>Many borate minerals, such as <a href="/facts/Borax/IQrXRJ3N">borax</a>, <a href="/facts/Colemanite/mRIqJsKb">colemanite</a>, and <a href="/facts/Ulexite/bejMrcy6">ulexite</a>, are <a href="/facts/Salt_(chemistry)/lsSKwGpn">salts</a>: soft, readily soluble, and found in <a href="/facts/Evaporite/vNW8fcEy">evaporite</a> contexts. However, some, such as <a href="/facts/Boracite/RKtXwYYV">boracite</a>, are hard and resistant to weathering, more similar to the <a href="/facts/Silicate_mineral/WclrQW2I">silicates</a>. </p><p>There are over 100 different borate minerals. Borate minerals include: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Kernite/mYb5FMCt">Kernite</a> Na2B4O6(OH)2·3H2O</li> <li><a href="/facts/Borax/IQrXRJ3N">Borax</a> Na2B4O5(OH)4·8H2O</li> <li><a href="/facts/Ulexite/bejMrcy6">Ulexite</a> NaCaB5O6(OH)6·5H2O</li> <li><a href="/facts/Colemanite/mRIqJsKb">Colemanite</a> CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O</li> <li><a href="/facts/Boracite/RKtXwYYV">Boracite</a> Mg3B7O13Cl</li> <li><a href="/facts/Painite/DTar2S8U">Painite</a> CaZrAl9O15(BO3)</li></ul>