Category Phosphate minerals Strunz classification 8.DC.50 Space group Pcmn | Formula
(repeating unit) Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)3·5H2O Crystal system Orthorhombic | |
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Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) | ||
Wavellite is a phosphate mineral with formula Al3(PO4)2(OH, F)3·5H2O. It normally occurs as translucent green radial or spherical clusters.
Discovery and occurrence
It was first described in 1805 for an occurrence within the High Down Quarry, Filleigh, Devon, England and named for William Wavell (20 December 1750 - 15 January 1829) of England who discovered the mineral.
It occurs in association with crandallite and variscite in fractures in aluminous metamorphic rock, in hydrothermal regions and in phosphate rock deposits. It is found in a wide variety of locations notably in the Mount Ida, Arkansas area in the Ouachita Mountains.
It is sometimes used as a gemstone.
References
Wavellite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA