Priceite typically occurs as chalky white, porous nodules or compact masses in lacustrine evaporite beds. It is often identified by its soft, dull, non-crystalline appearance and is frequently associated with other boron-rich minerals like colemanite and ulexite.
Is this priceite?
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 priceite with a known reference. Priceite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Priceite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Priceite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, grayish, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: massive, chalky, nodular, earthy.
Often confused with
Priceite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Priceite and subvitreous on Howlite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Priceite and vitreous on Magnesite.
How to tell apart: Priceite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads dull on Priceite and vitreous on Gypsum.
Often found alongside priceite
Minerals reported to co-occur with priceite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄B₁₀O₁₉·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 2.3-2.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Chalky, Nodular, Earthy
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Boron
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-50 for small nodular specimens
Where rockhounds find priceite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Turkey
- California, USA
- Oregon, USA
- Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where priceite typically forms. If you start seeing colemanite, ulexite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, chalky, nodular, earthy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Oklahoma — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find priceite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
