By Chisom Ibemere
Boracite originated in Germany in the year 1789 and named after its boron content. It is a relatively rare mineral that forms in sedimentary and metamorphic environments.
Boracite can be found in a few locations worldwide such as Germany, Austria, Russia, and the United States.
Boracite occurs in evaporite deposits, which are formed by the evaporation of saline solutions. It often occurs as tabular or prismatic crystals within these deposits. Boracite can also be found in marine evaporites, salt beds, and borate-rich sediments.
Boracite is composed of high thermal stability and electrical insulating properties, making it useful in various industrial applications.
It is used as a fluxing agent in the production of boron compounds, as a filler in refractory materials, and as a component in ceramics and glass.
It is occasionally used as a gemstone especially the transparent and intensely colored crystals. It is relatively soft with a mohs hardness of 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale, which limits its durability for everyday jewelry use. It is faceted and used in ornamental jewelry pieces.
Boracite has various colors such as colorless, white, grey, yellow, green, and blue. Its crystal structure belongs to the cubic system, and its crystals often exhibit distinctive striations.
It has a Mohs hardness of 4.5 to 5, making it relatively soft compared to other gemstones. This means it is susceptible to scratching and should be worn with care.
Boracite is a complex mineral with boron, magnesium, and chloride as it’s main composition which may vary depending on the specific location where it forms.
It is known as a relatively rare and niche mineral with its uses in industrial applications and as a gemstone contributing to its value.
The value of Boracite as a gemstone depends on factors such as color, clarity, size, and overall quality. The most valuable Boracite gemstones are those with intense and desirable colors, such as deep blues or vibrant greens.