Tuzlaite is an extremely rare calcium-sodium borate mineral discovered in the salt deposits of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It typically occurs as small, clear, tabular monoclinic crystals embedded within salt-rich evaporite sequences.
Is this tuzlaite?
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 tuzlaite with a known reference. Tuzlaite 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. Tuzlaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tuzlaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Tuzlaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tuzlaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tuzlaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCaB₅O₈(OH)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find tuzlaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tuzla salt deposit, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where tuzlaite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, borax, gypsum 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 tuzlaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
