Boleite is a striking, deep indigo-blue mineral famous for forming perfect cubic crystals. It is primarily found in oxidized marine-type copper deposits where it forms as a rare secondary mineral alongside other silver and lead halides.
Is this boleite?
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 boleite with a known reference. Boleite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Boleite leaves a light blue streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Boleite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: indigo blue, dark blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: pseudocubic crystals, tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Boleite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Boleite leaves light blue, Pseudoboleite leaves blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Boleite leaves light blue, Cumengeite leaves pale blue; luster reads vitreous on Boleite and vitreous to adamantine on Cumengeite.
Often found alongside boleite
Minerals reported to co-occur with boleite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KPb₂₆Ag₉Cu₂₄Cl₆₂(OH)₄₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 5.0-5.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudocubic Crystals, Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $500-2000+ cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find boleite
Classic worldwide localities
- Boleo District, Mexico
- Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, USA
- Kombat Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper deposits country — that is the host setting where boleite typically forms. If you start seeing pseudoboleite, cumengeite, atacamite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudocubic crystals, tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify boleite?+
Where is boleite found?+
How much is boleite worth?+
Is boleite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like boleite?+
What minerals are found with boleite?+
What kind of rock does boleite form in?+
What is boleite used for?+
Find boleite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
