Ulexite is a Hydrous Carbonate Borate mineral, an evaporative deposit, and is a primary source of Boron. The mineral in the photo came from US Borax's deposit in Death Valley, CA. It is a very complex mineral. Some forms of ulexite are called "cotton ball", because they are round and resemble a cotton ball. It has a color ranging from clear to white, silky luster, transparent to translucent crystals, perfect cleavage, fiberous, when broken, a white streak, hardness of 2 and SG of 1.97. Boron compounds have many household and industrial uses. Boron is a common ingredient of soaps, cleansers, herbicides, soldering fluxes, gasoline a ntiknock compounds, pharmaceuticals, water softeners, food preservatives, and fire retardants. Boron is also added in the manufacture of glass, pyrex, and porcelain enamels used on kitchen appliances, sinks, bathtubs, stoves, and other products. ** ** Uses of ulexite from USGS