Boracite is a rare magnesium borate mineral typically found in evaporite sequences. It is famous among collectors for forming remarkably sharp, pseudo-cubic crystals that appear isometric despite their orthorhombic internal structure.
Is this boracite?
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 boracite with a known reference. Boracite sits at Mohs 7-7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Boracite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Boracite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellow, green, blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pseudo-cubic crystals, octahedral, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Boracite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside boracite
Minerals reported to co-occur with boracite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃B₇O₁₃Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 7-7.5
- Density
- 2.9-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo-cubic Crystals, Octahedral, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Study
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find boracite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stassfurt, Germany
- Lüneburg, Germany
- York County, New Brunswick, Canada
- Inder, Kazakhstan
- Louisiana, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where boracite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, anhydrite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudo-cubic crystals, octahedral, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find boracite on the map
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