ulexite

American  

[yoo-lek-sahyt] / yuˈlɛk saɪt /

noun

1. a mineral, hydrous sodium and calcium borate, NaCaB 5 O 9 ⋅8H 2 O, occurring in arid regions in the form of white acicular crystals: a major source of borax.

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ulexite Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′lĭk-sīt′,yo̅o̅-lĕk′- /

1. A white triclinic mineral that forms rounded, reniform (kidney-shaped) masses of very fine needle-shaped crystals. Ulexite has the unusual optical property of projecting an image of an object placed against a transverse section of it to the opposite surface. It is usually associated with borax deposits and is found in arid environments. Chemical formula: NaCaB ₅ O ₉ ·8H ₂ O.

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Etymology

Origin of ulexite

1865–70; named after George L. Ulex, German chemist; see -ite ¹

Example Sentences

In hyperarid locations, even rarer and more complex evaporites, like borax, trona, ulexite, and hanksite, are found and mined.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The salts contained in these deposits are mainly borax, ulexite, and colemanite.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)