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, 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
How do you identify boracite?+
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Find boracite on the map
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