Boggsite is an extremely rare zeolite mineral discovered in the basalt vesicles of Oregon. It typically forms small, clear, pseudo-dodecahedral crystals that are highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.

Hardness

~3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareZeolite Group family

Boggsite

Hardness: ~3.5
Luster: Vitreous to dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this boggsite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch boggsite with a known reference. Boggsite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: equant pseudo-dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

Boggsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Analcime

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Analcime is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. ~3.5).

Often found alongside boggsite

Minerals reported to co-occur with boggsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₃Ca₈(Si₇₇Al₁₉)O₁₉₂·70H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~3.5
Density: 1.998 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to dull
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Equant pseudo-dodecahedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In vesicles in one of a series of porphyritic basalt flows intercalated with pyroclastics and minor sediments

Where rockhounds find boggsite

Classic worldwide localities

Goble Creek, near Goble, Columbia Co., Oregon, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In vesicles in one of a series of porphyritic basalt flows intercalated with pyroclastics and minor sediments. If you start seeing mordenite, tschernichite, zeolites in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant pseudo-dodecahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify boggsite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3.5. Luster: vitreous to dull. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is boggsite found?+

Notable localities include Goble Creek, near Goble, Columbia Co., Oregon, USA.

What rocks look like boggsite?+

Boggsite is most often confused with Analcime, Chabazite, Stilbite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with boggsite?+

Boggsite commonly co-occurs with Mordenite, Tschernichite, Zeolites, Apophyllite, Calcite, Aragonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does boggsite form in?+

Where it forms: In vesicles in one of a series of porphyritic basalt flows intercalated with pyroclastics and minor sediments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is boggsite used for?+

Boggsite is used in collector.

Find boggsite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.