Boji stones are small, naturally occurring nodules of pyrite or marcasite that have weathered into iron-rich limonite. They are typically found as weathered pebbles in sedimentary deposits in Kansas and are often sold in pairs as 'male' (rough) and 'female' (smooth) stones.
Is this boji stones?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch boji stones with a known reference. Boji Stones sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Boji Stones leaves a brownish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Boji Stones typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: nodular.
Often confused with
Boji Stones vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Marcasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Boji Stones leaves brownish, Marcasite leaves greyish-black; luster reads dull on Boji Stones and metallic on Marcasite.
How to tell apart: Pyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Boji Stones leaves brownish, Pyrite leaves greenish-black to brownish-black; luster reads dull on Boji Stones and metallic on Pyrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Boji Stones leaves brownish, Limonite leaves yellowish-brown; luster reads dull on Boji Stones and submetallic to earthy on Limonite.
Often found alongside boji stones
Minerals reported to co-occur with boji stones. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 2.8-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Nodular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Metaphysical
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Strata
- Typical price
- $10-50 per pair
Where rockhounds find boji stones
Classic worldwide localities
- Kansas, USA
- Ottawa County, Kansas
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary strata country — that is the host setting where boji stones typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a nodular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find boji stones on the map
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