Meyerhofferite is a calcium borate mineral typically found as white, prismatic crystals or fibrous, radiating spray aggregates. It is an alteration product of inyoite and is most frequently collected from evaporite borate deposits in arid regions like Death Valley.
Is this meyerhofferite?
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 meyerhofferite with a known reference. Meyerhofferite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meyerhofferite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meyerhofferite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial clusters, fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Meyerhofferite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside meyerhofferite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meyerhofferite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂B₆O₆(OH)₁₀·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Clusters, Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find meyerhofferite
Classic worldwide localities
- Death Valley, California, USA
- Simav, Turkey
- Boron, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where meyerhofferite typically forms. If you start seeing colemanite, inyoite, ulexite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial clusters, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify meyerhofferite?+
Where is meyerhofferite found?+
How much is meyerhofferite worth?+
What rocks look like meyerhofferite?+
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Find meyerhofferite on the map
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