Pringleite is an extremely rare calcium borate mineral found almost exclusively in the potash-bearing evaporite deposits of New Brunswick, Canada. It typically forms small, pale yellow to brownish tabular crystals associated with other evaporite minerals like halite and sylvite.
Is this pringleite?
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 pringleite with a known reference. Pringleite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pringleite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pringleite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Pringleite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pringleite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pringleite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄B₂₆O₄₄Cl₁₀·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.47 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pringleite
Classic worldwide localities
- Potash mines of New Brunswick, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country, the host setting where pringleite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, sylvite, boracite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pringleite?+
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How much is pringleite worth?+
What rocks look like pringleite?+
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Find pringleite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
