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Boracite
 

	Boracite is a rare mineral. It was first discovered in Luneburg, Hanover, Germany in 1789. The mineral occurs in white to colorless as well as blue, green, grey and yellow.
	The name Boracite comes from the fact that the mineral contains a high content of the chemical Boron.
	Boracite is formed from Magnesium Borate Chloride. Boracite is commonly found in marine evaporite environments which provide the right factors needed for the mineral to form. Boracite is commonly found in association with other evaporite minerals like Anhydrite, Gypsum, Hilgardite, Magnesite and Halite. Its crystals are typically embedded in these other evaporite minerals or vice versa.

Boracite can be identified by its crystal habit, color, associations, locality and its high hardness. In industrial applications, Boracite is used as an ore of Boron for boric acid and Borax (a cleaning agent and useful industrial chemical). Although it has nice color, clarity and the hardness necessary to be used as a gemstone, Boracite is rarely cut for this purpose. Probably because it is slightly soluble in water and ordinary wear dulls its surface. Still, it is a very attractive gem among collectors.
 

Notable occurrences of Boracite include Yorkshire, England; Strassfurt, Germany; France; Bolivia; Chactaw Salt Dome, Louisiana and Otis, California, U.S.A. A variety of Boracite found at Strassfurt, Germany is a fibrous form named Strassfurtite after the locality.