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Formula: Ca2B5O7(OH)5.H2O
Anhydrous borate containing hydroxyl
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 2.42 measured
Hardness: 3 to 3½
Streak: White
Colour: White, colourless in transmitted light
Solubility: Insoluble in water, readily soluble in acids
Environments
Evaporite deposits
Hot spring deposits
Priceite is found in hot spring deposits and volcanic sublimates, and it is also a component of borate-enriched
evaporites; it may be derived from colemanite
(HOM).
Localities
At the Monte Blanco area, Black Mountains, Amargosa Range, Inyo county, California, priceite has been found as
white veins associated with colemanite in
basaltic tuff
(AM 41.689-700).
At the Furnace Creek Wash, Furnace Creek Mining District, Inyo county, California, USA, priceite has been found
as nodules and irregular masses embedded sporadically in a soft greenish grey
shale. Near the surface the mineral is in soft chalky masses associated with
colemanite and gypsum. With depth,
the priceite becomes harder and more compact
(AM 9.11, 24.728).
At Corkscrew Wash, Ryan, Furnace Creek District, Inyo county, California, USA, priceite has been found
filling cracks in a dark olive green altered basalt hillock. The
priceite has been altered in part to delicate radiating needles of ulexite,
or to sharp crystals of colemanite. Another occurrence of priceite
is as amygdule fillings in the altered basalts, some of them reaching the
size of a large potato
(AM 24.728, 41.689-700).
At the type locality, the Lone Ranch Priceite Prospect, Curry county, Oregon, USA, priceite is associated with
aragonite
(Mindat).
Alteration
Evidence suggests that priceite is derived from colemanite; thin
sections of priceite from the Monte Blanco area, Inyo county, show corroded euhedral inclusions of
colemanite surrounded by fine crystalline priceite
(AM 41.689-700).
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