PARAVAUXITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
    Crystal system : Triclinic
    Chemistry : FeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 8H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Paravauxite is a rare secondary phosphate found in tin-bearing hydrothermal veins and granitic pegmatites. It is a dimorph of metavauxite with which it is commonly associated. Its name comes from the Greek para (near) and for its similarity to vauxite. Its ordinarily short prismatic crystals are frequently assembled in subparallel to radiate aggregates. It is a colorless, white or greenish-white mineral.

Main photo : Paravauxite of Llallagua, Potosi, Bolivia © Rob Lavinsky

Paravauxite of Llallagua, Potosi, Bolivia © Rock Currier
Paravauxite of Llallagua, Potosi, Bolivia © Gianfranco Ciccolini
Paravauxite of Collioure, Pyrénées-Orientales © Christophe Boutry
Paravauxite of Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany © Christian Rewitzer

Paravauxite in the World

The most beautiful crystals come from the tin veins of Bolivia, notably from Lallagua (province of Potosi) and measure up to 2.5 cm. Paravauxite is also present in classic phosphate pegmatites from Germany (Hagendorf), the United States such as Foote (North Carolina) and Palermo (New Hampshire), and Portugal (Bandada).

Paravauxite in France

In France, paravauxite is known in the pegmatites of Collioure (Pyrénées-Orientales).

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3
Density : 2.36
Fracture : Conchoidal
Streak : White

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.552 to 1.573
Birefringence : 0.020
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : Low
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None