Paravauxite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
IMA symbolPvx[1]
Strunz classification8.DC.30
Dana classification42.11.14.2
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal
H-M Symbol: 1
Space groupP1
Unit cell334.43
Identification
Formula mass477.89
ColorLight brown, pale greenish white, gray-white, colorless
CleavagePerfect on {010}
FractureConchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness3
LusterSub-Vitreous, resinous, waxy, pearly
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Specific gravity2.36
DensityMeasured: 2.36
Calculated: 2.37
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.552 - 1.554
nβ = 1.558 - 1.559
nγ = 1.572 - 1.573
Birefringence0.020
PleochroismNone
2V angleMeasured: 72°
Calculated: 74°
DispersionWeak to distinct
ExtinctionX (61°,56°)
Y (180°, 55°)
Z (-61°, 54°)

Paravauxite is a rare mineral that was named in 1922. Its name is a portmanteau word made by blending the Greek word for near (παρα, meaning para) and vauxite due to the chemical relationship to vauxite. It was approved by the IMA, and was first described in 1959. It is now grandfathered, meaning it is probably to remain a species.[2]

Properties

It is a member of the laueite supergroup, and the laueite group within said supergroup. It is metavauxite's triclinic dimorph. It can form in complex granitic pegmatites, and in hydrothermal tin veins. It forms thick tabular crystals on {010}, and short prismatic ones on [001], but numerous forms might be exhibited. Forms aggregates that are subparallel to radial. The mineral is colorless in transmitted light.[2] It mainly consists of oxygen (60.26%), but contains phosphorus (12.96%), iron (11.69%), aluminum (11.29%) and hydrogen (3.80%) as well. It doesn't show any radioactive properties whatsoever.[3] It occurs in tin mines. Paravauxite has a vitreous luster, with one exception on b(100), where it is pearly. It grows in small crystals, which's size can reach up to 5×2×1.5 mm. Crystals are somewhat flattened parallel to b(100). Even with atmospheric humidity, paravauxite's hydrogen dioxide content varies considerably. The mineral's formula is complex, that's why it's really unlikely that it gets simplified by further analyses. There's only one occurrence where vauxite and paravauxite are seen together in one specimen. It's a small, cavernous, mass of druzy-green wavellite. It has blue vauxite in small radial aggregates, and a singular colorless paravauxite. One of blue vauxite's radial aggregates has this crystal implanted on top.[4]

Formation and mining

Other than vauxite and metavauxite, it is also associated with wavellite, but rarely occurs on the latter. It is the type locality of Llallagua, Bolivia.[3] It can also be found in Germany, Mexico, the United States, Portugal, Sweden, with a couple of other countries.[5]

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. 1 2 "Paravauxite". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  3. 1 2 "Paravauxite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  4. Gordon, Samuel G. (1923). "Vauxite and Paravauxite, Two New Minerals from Llallagua, Bolivia". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 75: 261–270. ISSN 0097-3157. JSTOR 4063881.
  5. Minerals, Dakota Matrix. "Paravauxite mineral information and data". www.dakotamatrix.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
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