Wavellite
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Description
A pale green color mineral composed of hydrous basic aluminum phosphate. Wavellite was named for its discoverer, William Wavell, an English physician. Significant wavellite depostis have been found in the Czech Republic (Zbiroh), France (Montebras), England (Barnstaple, Devon), Bolivia (Llallagua) and the U.S. (Florida, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Colorado). It usually occurs as crusty, globular masses in hydrothermal veins. The transparent to translucent stone can be green, yellow, white, gray or brown.
Synonyms and Related Terms
aluminum phosphate
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Orthorhombic crystal system with rare striated prismatic crystals; more often globular or crusty.
- Cleavage perfect in one direction and good in one direction.
- Streak = white.
- Luster= pearly to vitreous.
- Fracture = conchoidal to uneven.
| Composition | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3-5H2O |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 3.5 - 4.0 |
| Density | 2.3-2.4 g/ml |
| Refractive Index | 1.52; 1.53; 1.55 |
Resources and Citations
- Mineralogy Database: Wavellite
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "wavellite." accessed 13 Oct. 2004 .
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavellite (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005)