BOLEITE
Specimen bol-8

Dims: 0.4" x 0.3" x 0.3" (1.0 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm)

Wt: 1.3 g

Boleo, Baja California, Mexico

This specimen consists of a small amount of pale brown host rock that is attached to the largest Boleite cube that I have ever seen. This crystal has dimensions of 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3" (0.8 x 0.8 x 0.8 cm), and is in excellent condition, showing no detectable damage. It has a deep blue color and a pearly-to-vitreous luster, and is dimly translucent along its edges, which show what appear to be small secondary, "stepped" faces. There are a few areas of irregular growth visible on the piece, which remind me of some of the formations that one may see on a cubic fluorite crystal. Though Boleite is listed as forming tetragonal crystals, there are some sources that maintain that its crystals are actually cubic in nature.

Dims: 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1" (3 x 3 x 3 mm)

Wt: 0.2 g

Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja, California, Mexico

This tiny specimen consists of two intergrown pseudocubic Boleite crystals, one of which is much larger than the other. Both are in excellent condition, showing no human-induced damage. The larger cube makes up the dimensions of the entire specimen, while the smaller cube is mostly intergrown and would, if complete, measure 2mm in all dimensions. They show excellent form and have well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly-to-waxy luster. Their blue color is so deep that even under a bright halogen light, one can only see a dim translucence along the crystals' edges. There is no host rock present on this piece.

Dims: 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3" (8 x 8 x 8 mm)

Wt: 10.3 g w/ specimen box

Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja, California, Mexico

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a single pseudocubic Boleite crystal. This crystal is the largest that I have yet seen in my travels, and though it shows some noticeable damage, it is still in good condition. Its form appears to be cubic, but many sources say that this mineral is tetragonal in nature. Its edges are well-defined and its faces are clean, possessing a bright pearly luster. The size of the crystal and its deep blue coloration prevent all but a faint translucence from showing around its edges in strong light. There is a triangular imprint on one face where another crystal partly intersected this one. There is no host rock present, and the specimen is affixed inside a plastic specimen box with an adhesive putty.

Dims: 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1" (3 x 3 x 3 mm)

Wt: 9.0 g w/ specimen box

Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja, California, Mexico

This simple, tiny specimen consists of a single pseudocubic Boleite crystal. This crystal is in excellent condition, showing only one spot of noticeable damage, and has excellent form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a pearly-to-waxy luster. It has the classic deep blue coloration and is effectively opaque in normal light. There is no host rock present, and the crystal is affixed inside a plastic specimen box with an adhesive putty.

Dims: 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1" (0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 cm)

Wt: 8.6 g w/ specimen box

Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja, California, Mexico

This very small specimen consists of a single Boleite cube. It is in good condition, showing only moderate damage, and has excellent form, with well-defined edges and clean faces. It has the classic deep blue color of its species and a dull waxy luster, and is only dimly translucent under bright halogen light. There is no host rock present, and it is affixed to a small piece of wood which is attached to the bottom of a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1" (0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 cm)

Wt: 8.9 g w/ specimen box

Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja, California, Mexico

A single cube-shaped Boleite crystal makes up this specimen. It is in nearly pristine condition, showing almost no visible damage, and has excellent form, with well-defined edges, clean faces, and tiny secondary faces that truncate each corner. Its azur-blue color is so dark as to be nearly opaque in normal light, and it has the standard pearly luster. There is no host rock, and it is affixed inside a plastic specimen box with a hot glue.

Dims:2.0x1.2x0.7" (5.1x3.0x1.8 cm)

Wt: 0.7oz. (21g)

Santa Rosalia, Baja California, Mexico

A small (0.1", 0.3cm) penetration twin crystal of boleite rest on a friable matrix. Also associated are several large (to 0.6", 1.5cm) crystals of feldspar. These feldspars appear to be variety sanidine. There is no damage to the boleite, although the matrix all about it is cracked. A cavity on one end of the matrix shows where another very large sanidine crystal once was.

Dims: 2.60x1.93x2.20" (6.6x4.9x5.6 cm)

Wt: 4.86 oz. (137.6g)

Santa Rosilia Mine, Baja California, Mexico

This hand specimen has a half-dozen boleite crystals along with quite a bit of massive paratacamite on a matrix too soft to be called siltstone. Three of the boleite crystals are quite good (the largest is about 4mm along its longest dimension). These crystals are deep blue and dimly translucent. This specimen is very fragile (due to the nature of the sedimentary matrix), and handling should be minimized.