Kurnakovite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Kurnakovite is a primarily colorless borate mineral in the inderite group. The gemstone is mostly known among collectors and has some potential industrial uses in neutron radiation.

In terms of rarity, kurnakovite is a pretty uncommon mineral. It’s an even rarer gemstone, not only for the scarcity of gem-quality material but also the difficulty in cutting and wearing the stone.

That rarity only makes kurnakovite more alluring and appealing to anyone looking for rare, unique gemstones. Luckily, we’re all about unique gemstones here at Gem Rock Auctions. That’s why our gemstone experts have put together this guide on kurnakovite — covering this gem’s properties, history, prices, and more.

Pictured above: Well-formed, translucent kurnakovite crystal from Kern County, California, USA | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

About Kurnakovite Stone

Kurnakovite is a white mineral sometimes used as a semi-precious gemstone. It’s closely related to the mineral inderite, which is used slightly more often as a gemstone.

Astrologists recommend white stones like kurnakovite for bringing fortune to those born under Virgo and Cancer.

Like inderite, kurnakovite may have industrial value from its composition as a hydrated magnesium borate. These borates are used as anti-corrosion agents, lubricants, adsorbents, and catalysts thanks to their stability and strength.

However, kurnakovite has even greater potential industrial value for neutron radiation-shielding.

The main research is a 2011 study that tested neutron permeability of boron minerals, with kurnakovite being the best at preventing neuron radiation from slipping through. As a 2020 study put it: “Kurnakovite has been identified as the most effective natural borate in neutron absorption.”

That’s all to say that kurnakovite’s powerful shielding abilities makes it a great additive in concrete and tiles for absorbing neutron radiation, preventing the dangerous energy from escaping.

Kurnakovite Specifications & Characteristics

Kurnakovite is a hydrated magnesium borate mineral with the official formula MgB3O3(OH)5·5H2O, as approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). Some mineralogists write the formula as Mg2B6O­11·15H2O.

This stone belongs to the inderite group which contains the eponymous inderite along with:

• Inderborite — hydrous borate of calcium & magnesium

• Inyoite — hydrous calcium borate

• Meyerhofferite — hydrous calcium borate

• Solongoite — calcium borate hydroxide chloride

Most members of the inderite group are monoclinic except kurnakovite and meyerhofferite. But kurnakovite is better known for its relationship to inderite.

Inderite has the exact same composition as kurnakovite — MgB3O3(OH)5·5H2O — but a triclinic crystal structure, making it the two dimorphs.

Kurnakovite crystals are usually found as large, blocky, prismatic clusters. Twinning sometimes occurs. The mineral also occurs as cleavable masses or dense aggregates.

Here are all the kurnakovite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 2.5-3

• Color: Colorless or white, rarely greenish-gray or lilac

• Crystal structure: Triclinic

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

• Transparency: Translucent to transparent

• Refractive index: 1.488-1.525

• Density: 1.847-1.862

• Cleavage: Indistinct/Poor to Good on {010}

• Fracture: Conchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: 0.027-0.034

• Dispersion: Weak

Pictured above: Satellite image of Inder Lake from 2019 ,the deposit where kurnakovite was discovered in 1940 | Image credit: European Space Agency; Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2019

Kurnakovite History

Russian geologist Mikhail Nikolayevich Godlevsky wrote the first description of kurnakovite in 1940. He found the original specimens at the Inder Lake borate deposit in Kazakhstan — also the type locality & namesake of inderite — in 1938.

The type specimens were solid, colorless, dense aggregates. Godlevsky credits a “J.J. Yarjemsky” (possibly Russian petrologist Yakov Yakovlevich Yarzhemskii) with discovering a larger deposit of irregular kurnakovite lenses within ascharite soon after.

Godlevsky named kurnakovite after Russian physical chemist Nikolai Semenovich Kurnakov.

Kurnakov is known for pioneering physicochemical analysis and the Soviet Union’s platinum industry. He is also the namesake of the Kurnakov test, which is still used to tell cis and trans isomers apart.

A.I. Spiryagina was the first to successfully synthesize kurnakovite in 1949, ten years after J.B. Feigelson, V.E. Grushvitsky, and W.V. Korobochkina first synthesized inderite.

Kurnakovite Healing Properties

As a colorless healing crystal, kurnakovite’s meaning matches the purifying, harmonious, and cleansing properties of other white gemstones. Energy healers also use kurnakovite as a crown chakra stone, the highest energy center that governs spiritual ascension and universal connection.

Other purported healing properties of kurnakovite crystals include:

• Relieving anxiety

• Promoting tranquility

• Facilitating good decision-making

• Increasing confidence

• Clearing toxins

• Amplifying spiritual awareness

Next, we’ll go over what factors into the price of kurnakovite gemstones.

Pictured above: Large, well-formed kurnakovite crystal from California, USA; Minette Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Kurnakovite Gemstone Properties

Besides its rarity, other factors affecting kurnakovite gemstone value include color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight.

Color

Almost all kurnakovite is white or colorless, though clay inclusions can give it other hues like lilac, greenish-gray, and even orange-yellow. Generally, only colorless or white kurnakovite crystals are faceted.

Cut

Faceted kurnakovites are quite rare to find and valuable to boot. You might see them with fancy octagon, radiant rectangular, or trillion shapes.

Most often, kurnakovite is sold rough (uncut). It may also be cut into cabochons for collectors.

Clarity & Transparency

Higher transparency means higher value, and clarity (the degree of visible inclusions) plays a critical role in a stone’s transparency. Inclusions that lower kurnakovite’s transparency will usually lower its value.

Common inclusions in kurnakovite include clay, orpiment, and other borate minerals.

Carat Weight & Size

Perhaps surprisingly, kurnakovite crystals have been found in huge sizes — we’re talking hundreds of carats. Many faceted kurnakovites are under 1 carat, but a good portion of them are above 4 carats.

Pictured above: Kurnakovite crystal from Boron, California, USA found by Robert Herod in 1988; Mineral collection of Brigham Young University Department of Geology, Provo, Utah (USA) | Image credit: Andrew Silver, Public domain

Kurnakovite Formation & Sources

Kurnakovite typically forms within boron-rich (and often sulfate-rich) salt lakes or playas. Solutions carrying magnesium get inside, then the water evaporates, allowing the elements to crystallize into kurnakovite. The solution may also react with sodium borates to form magnesium borates like kurnakovite and inderite.

Minerals associated with kurnakovite include:

• Inderite

• Ulexite

• Tincalconite

• Szaibélyite

Mining Locations

The largest kurnakovite crystals come from Boron in California, USA. Kurnakovite is also found in:

• Argentina

• China (Tibet)

• Kazakhstan

• Turkey

Kurnakovite Price & Value

At this point, it’s likely no surprise that faceted kurnakovite gemstones for sale are the priciest option.

Overall, faceted kurnakovite gems range from about $50 to over $1,300 per carat or around $200 to $550 total (remember, many are less than 1 carat so their total cost will be lower than their price-per-carat rate).

Rough kurnakovites typically range from about $40 to $150, though some spectacular large crystals can be up to $2,400.

Kurnakovite Care and Maintenance

Proper gemstone care is absolutely crucial for keeping your kurnakovite and yourself in good shape.

Borate minerals like kurnakovite have a toxicity risk, though mainly from consuming the mineral’s fibers or letting them touch your eye. Be sure to wash your hands after touching kurnakovite and store it away from kids or pets.

Back to caring for kurnakovite, it’s important to keep in mind that it has a low hardness, it’s soluble in warm acids, and it has indistinct to good cleavage. Therefore, we advise you don’t wear kurnakovite in jewelry. If you do, make sure it has protective settings and reserve it for occasional wear.

Avoid mechanical cleaning systems and stick to cleaning kurnakovite with mild soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush or cloth.

Are You Keen on Kurnakovite?

Kurnakovite is a lesser-known borate mineral rarely seen on the gem market, but the stone is unique in its history, potential industrial future, and gorgeous huge crystals perfect for displaying.

Buy kurnakovite and other gorgeous gemstones today!