Gowerite is a rare calcium borate mineral that typically forms as delicate, radial aggregates or bladed crystals. It is primarily identified within borate-rich sedimentary deposits and is a prized find for advanced mineral collectors focusing on evaporite species.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareBorate Group family

Gowerite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this gowerite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch gowerite with a known reference. Gowerite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gowerite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Gowerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates, spherulitic.

Often confused with

Gowerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Priceite

Mohs 3-3.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Gowerite and dull on Priceite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Gowerite and silky on Ulexite.

Compare →

Often found alongside gowerite

Minerals reported to co-occur with gowerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaB₆O₁₀·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.28 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Spherulitic
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Borate Deposits in Sedimentary Basins
Typical price: $20-100 per specimen

Where rockhounds find gowerite

Classic worldwide localities

Death Valley, California, USA
Boron, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in borate deposits in sedimentary basins country — that is the host setting where gowerite typically forms. If you start seeing colemanite, ulexite, howlite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates, spherulitic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gowerite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is gowerite found?+

Notable localities include Death Valley, California, USA; Boron, California, USA.

How much is gowerite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-100 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like gowerite?+

Gowerite is most often confused with Priceite, Ulexite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with gowerite?+

Gowerite commonly co-occurs with Colemanite, Ulexite, Howlite, Gypsum. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does gowerite form in?+

Gowerite typically forms in borate deposits in sedimentary basins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is gowerite used for?+

Gowerite is used in collector.

Find gowerite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.