Kaolinite is a clay mineral, with a soft consistency and earthy texture. It is easily... More
Kaolinite is a clay mineral, with a soft consistency and earthy texture. It is easily broken and can be molded or shaped, especially when wet. Kaolinite is a lackluster and uninteresting mineral on its own, but it occasionally forms interesting pseudomorphs, especially after feldspars. It is also a common accessory to other minerals, including gem crystals in decomposing feldspar pegmatites. The term Kaolinite describes the name of a group of closely-related clay minerals, as well as an individual member mineral of the group. The members of the Kaolinite group all have the same (or similar) chemical formula, and they are Dickite, Kaolinite, Nacrite, Halloysite, and Odinite. Kaolinite also has a very similar chemical formula to Serpentine, and is sometimes considered a member of the Serpentine group. Kaolinite is the most common clay mineral, and entire clay deposits can be composed of this mineral. There are many commercial Kaolinite mines where this mineral is mined in large volumes for its various industrial uses. Kaolinite is named after the Kao-ling, a mountain in Jiangxi Province in China where this mineral was well-known from early times. Hide
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Kernite was first discovered in 1926 in the Kramer District in Boron, California, in ... More
Kernite was first discovered in 1926 in the Kramer District in Boron, California, in an enormous, underground deposit. Almost immediately, its commercial importance was recognized and it became the most significant source of the chemical borax, becoming an even greater ore than the mineral Borax itself. Many more Kernite deposits probably exist deep below the surface in large borate deposits, and when discovered can be of economic importance. Kernite does not keep well in collections, being that it is efflorescent, meaning it loses the water in its crystal structure if not stored properly. Effects of efflorescence are the appearance of white powder on the surface and formation of cloudy cracks, which cause the specimen to become opaque and dull. In severe cases of efflorescence, Kernite crumbles into a white powder. Hide
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div There are only few minerals that contain gold in their structure. The rare minera... More
There are only few minerals that contain gold in their structure. The rare mineral Krennerite is one of them. Krennerite is a polymorph of Calaverite, and occurs in the same localities as Calaverite. They may even occur together on the same specimen. Krennerite was named in honor of Hungarian Mineralogist József Sándor Krenner (1839-1920), the curator of the Hungarian Mineral Museum.
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div Kyanite is one of the most attractive blue minerals in nature. It sometimes exhib... More
Kyanite is one of the most attractive blue minerals in nature. It sometimes exhibits intense shades of blue, or even multiple shades with color zoning in a single crystal. The color of Kyanite, combined with its well-formed and sometimes large crystals, make this mineral appreciated by both novice and expert collectors alike. The luster of Kyanite from certain localities is sometimes enhanced by oiling specimens or applying them with synthetic lubricants. Legitimate dealers should disclose this practice if they are selling treated Kyanites.
Kyanite is strongly anisotropic, meaning it has a different hardness depending on the angle. In fact, it is the most well-known anisotropic mineral. The vertical hardness of Kyanite ranges from 4.5 to 5.5, and horizontal hardness from 6 to 7. Kyanite is named from the Greek term cyanos, which means deep blue, alluding to the typical color of this mineral.
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