This effect is partially the result of the large spaces in the sodium octahedral chains mentioned above. Color is white or gray to colorless. Luster is silky. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Also as vein-like masses of parallel fibrous crystals.
Cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Fracture is fibrous. Streak is white. Associated Minerals are borax , colemanite , hydroboracite and other borate minerals. Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, associations, locality, density, unique optical property, and hardness.