What is "kernite"

n. (context mineralogy English) A hydrated borate mineral, Na₂B₄O₆(OH)₂, originally discovered in the Mojave Desert.

n. a light soft mineral consisting of hydrated sodium borate in crystalline form; an important source of boron

Kernite, also known as rasorite is a hydrated sodium borate hydroxide mineral with formula . It is a colorless to white mineral crystallizing in the monoclinic crystal system typically occurring as prismatic to acicular crystals or granular masses. It is relatively soft with Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3 and light with a specific gravity of 1.91. It exhibits perfect cleavage and a brittle fracture.

Kernite is soluble in cold water and alters to tincalconite when it dehydrates. It undergoes a non-reversible alteration to metakernite when heated to above 100 °C.