VAUXITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
    Crystal system : Triclinic
    Chemistry : FeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 6H2O
    Rarity : Very rare

Vauxite is a very rare secondary phosphate known only from two tin quartz veins in Bolivia where it is associated with wavellite and metavauxite. It is derived from the alteration of apatite. It was named in honor of the American mineral collector George Vaux Jr. Vauxite forms beautiful small elongated tabular crystals, gathered in radiate or subparallel aggregates of up to 6 mm, sometimes blue nodules that turn green in the light.

Main photo : Vauxite de Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia © Y. Okazaki

Vauxite from Siglo XX Mine, Llallagua, Potosí, Bolivia © Rob Lavinsky
Vauxite from Siglo XX Mine, Llallagua, Potosí, Bolivia © Rob Lavinsky
Vauxite from Siglo XX Mine, Llallagua, Potosí, Bolivia © Stephan Wolfsried
Vauxite from Siglo XX Mine, Llallagua, Potosí, Bolivia © Luigi Chiappino

Vauxite in the World

Vauxite is known at siglo XX in the district of Llallagua and at Miraflores in the district of Huanuni (Bolivia).

Vauquelinite in France

Vauxite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

Twinning is known on {010}.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3.5
Density : 2.4
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.551 to 1.562
Birefringence : 0.011
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Strong
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None