VAUXITE
Specimen vau-3

Dims: 3.2 x 2.1 x 0.7" (8.1 x 5.3 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 2.45 oz. (69.7 g)

Mina Siglo Veinte, Llallagua, Bolivia

This hand specimen consists of several very small, crystalline masses of Vauxite that rest on a flat, gray base rock. These masses appear to be made out of countless, nearly microscopic Vauxite crystals that are a bit too small to effectively study with a loupe. All have a pale blue color and a dull waxy-to-pearly luster, and are translucent. These masses rest on what are likely crystals of white metavauxite or paravauxite which occur as definite triclinic blades and are colorless and dimly transparent.

Dims: 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.5" (2.6 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 12 g w/ specimen box

Huanuni Mine, Oruro Department, Bolivia

This interesting thumbnail specimen consists of a partial Vauxite crust. The crust is made up of scores of tiny clusters of aggregated or perhaps radiating Vauxite tablets that are intergrown so as to create seemingly botryoidal formations. The crystals therein are so tiny that it is very difficult to study them with a loupe, and they are so tightly aggregated that individual crystals are not easily isolated. However, they appear to be in good condition. The crust has a moderate blue coloration with a hint of gray and shows a dull pearly luster. It is translucent along its edges, so individual crystals are likely transparent to a degree. There is no base rock present, and the piece is hot-glued inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 1.69x1.02x0.31" (4.3x2.6x0.8cm)

Wt: 22.2ct (4.44g)

LLallagua, Bustillo, Potosi, Bolivia

This specimen of vauxite is from its type locality. The host rock looks like a thin shell of quartz, coated with a thin layer of pale vauxite crystals. If it weren't for the pale blue color, I would have suspected that these crystals were paravauxite. Actually, the vauxite appears to be coated with more of this mineral, a sparkly druze of square prismatic crystals with a slanted termination. The bulk of the vauxite is in the form of masses of lovely blue crystals whose form cannot be identified (all of the identifiable crystals appear colorless).