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, 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.