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 — that is 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
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Find pringleite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
