Mineralpedia Details for Boleite
Boleite
Named after the type locality at Santa Rosalia, also called El Boleo, in the Boleo district of Baja California, Mexico. Boleite is an uncommon to rare secondary mineral that forms via the reaction between chloride with sulfides in oxidized lead-copper deposits. It can also be found in smelter slag that has been immersed in and leached by seawater. Localities for Boleite include in, additionally, the United States, Greece, England, Germany, Russia, Iran, Australia, Chile, and a few others. Typically seen as deep blue to indigo cubes.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/boleite.pdf
- Formula
- KAg9Pb26Cu24Cl62(OH)48
- Crystal System
- Isometric
- Crystal Habit
- Pseudo Cubic
- Cleavage
- Perfect, Good, None
- Luster
- Vitreous - Pearly
- Color
- indigo blue, light blue
- Streak
- light green
- Class
- Isometric - Hexoctahedral
- Fracture
- Uneven
- Hardness
- 3-3.5
- WebMineral
- View Boleite
- Mindat
- View Boleite
Boleite from Amelia mine, Boleo, Santa Rosalia, Baja California, Mexico
Large blue cubic crystals to 6mm.
Boleite from Black Pine mine, Philipsburg, Granite Co., Montana, United States
Sky blue cubic crystals to about 0.5mm.
Boleite from Rowley mine, Maricopa Co., Arizona, United States
Bright blue micro crystals with no definite crystal shapes occurring throughout matrix with probable Caledonite.
Boleite from San Francisco mine, Sierra Gorda dist., Antofagasta, Chile
Tiny little blue cubes less than 0.4mm.
