THE MINERAL WAVELLITE

Chemistry: Al3(PO4)2(OH)3-(H2O)5, Hydrated Aluminum Phosphate Hydroxide
Class: Phosphates
Uses: only as mineral specimens
Specimens

Wavellite is a mineral that demonstrates the classic radiating globule crystal habit. In fact, you could say that wavellite is the type mineral for this habit. The habit produces a unique effect when the globules are imbedded in limestone and chert. If the rock is fractured and some of the globules are cleaved through, then a nice radial cluster is seen. The radial cluster will then reflect light to produce a sparkling pinwheel effect. Although broken mineral specimens are generally not valued by collectors, the radial play of light can be rather pretty and makes for interesting specimens. Although, a serious collector might not admit it, the more valuable specimens are those that are predominantly pristine, uncleaved clusters with at least a few cleaved globules to demonstrate the light play.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is characteristically green but also white, colorless, yellow and brown.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m
Crystal Habit is almost exclusively radiating acicular crystals forming globules or botryoidal masses.
Cleavage is perfect in two directions.
Fracture is uneven.
Hardness is 3.5 - 4.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.3+ (light even for translucent minerals)
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals are quartz, micas, turquoise and limonite.
Other Characteristics: surface of globules often have minute crystals giving off tiny sparkles.
Notable Occurances include Arkansas and Pennsylvania, USA; Bolivia and England.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, green color and softness.