Bokite is a rare borate mineral belonging to the vonsenite group, recognized by its dark, acicular, or fibrous crystal aggregates. It is primarily found in metasomatic skarn deposits where it forms in association with high-temperature contact metamorphism of limestones.
Is this bokite?
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 bokite with a known reference. Bokite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bokite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bokite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous aggregates, radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Bokite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bokite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bokite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Mg)₃(V,Fe,Al)O₂(BO₃)
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.5-5.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Aggregates, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metasomatized Carbonate Rocks and Contact Metamorphic Skarns
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find bokite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bok Canyon, Nevada, USA
- Brooks Mountain, Alaska, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metasomatized carbonate rocks and contact metamorphic skarns country — that is the host setting where bokite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, magnetite, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous aggregates, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bokite?+
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Find bokite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
