Wardsmithite is a very rare hydrated magnesium calcium borate mineral discovered in the borate deposits of California. It typically occurs as small, clear, dodecahedral crystals associated with other borate minerals in evaporite beds. Due to its scarcity and solubility, it is strictly a specimen for advanced mineral collectors.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareBorate Mineral family

Wardsmithite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this wardsmithite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch wardsmithite with a known reference. Wardsmithite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, nodular.

Often confused with

Wardsmithite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside wardsmithite

Minerals reported to co-occur with wardsmithite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₅Mg(B₄O₇)₆·30H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 1.85-1.88 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals, nodular
Cleavage: {001}, good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A rare weathering product of priceite and colemanite

Where rockhounds find wardsmithite

Classic worldwide localities

Hard Scramble claim, Black Mountains, 3 km north-northwest of Ryan, and on the Oliver Consolidated claim, 3 km west of Ryan, Death Valley, Inyo Co., California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A rare weathering product of priceite and colemanite. If you start seeing gowerite, ulexite, nobleite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, nodular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wardsmithite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is wardsmithite found?+

Notable localities include Hard Scramble claim, Black Mountains, 3 km north-northwest of Ryan, and on the Oliver Consolidated claim, 3 km west of Ryan, Death Valley, Inyo Co., California, USA.

What rocks look like wardsmithite?+

Wardsmithite is most often confused with Borax, Kernite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with wardsmithite?+

Wardsmithite commonly co-occurs with Gowerite, Ulexite, Nobleite, Colemanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wardsmithite form in?+

Where it forms: A rare weathering product of priceite and colemanite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wardsmithite used for?+

Wardsmithite is used in collector.

Find wardsmithite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.