Wavellite

Wavellite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Wavellite Rough

Wavellite was discovered in 1805 at High Down, Filleigh, Devon, England. It was named after a local doctor William Wavell M.D. who brought it to the attention of the mineralogical community. It is translucent and can be found in blue, green, yellow, and white colors. Specimens can be stalactitic or the crystals can radiate from the center creating a spherical structure. Many notable specimens are found from the Ouachita Mountains in Mount Ida, Arkansas.

General Information

Common Name
Wavellite
Species
Wavellite
Transparency
Translucent-Transparent
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire
Refractive Index
1.520-1.561
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: White, Pale Yellow to Yellow, Green, Sky Blue
LWUV: White, Pale Yellow to Yellow, Green, Sky Blue
Pleochroism
Dichroic, Green/Yellow
Hardness
3.5-4
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
2.300-2.400
Luster
Vitreous, Silky
Stability
Poor
Fracture
Uneven, Brittle
Cleavage
Incomplete
Chemical Name
Hydrated Aluminum Phosphate Hydroxide
Chemical Formula
Al3[(OH,F)3/(PO4)2] 5H2O
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Chemistry Classification
Phosphate

Wavellite Colors

  • White Wavellite
    White
  • Green Wavellite
    Green
  • Brown Wavellite
    Brown
  • Yellow Wavellite
    Yellow
  • Blue Wavellite
    Blue
  • Colorless Wavellite
    Colorless

Countries of Origin

Czechia; Guinea; Egypt; Madagascar; Kazakhstan; Portugal; Sweden; Unknown; Mali; China; Ireland; Russian Federation (the); Brazil; Poland; Sudan (the); Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the); Argentina; Romania; United States of America (the); Hungary; Sri Lanka; Japan; Rwanda; Uzbekistan; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); Spain; New Zealand; Liberia; Belgium; Norway; Senegal; Finland; Italy; Mexico; South Africa; Uganda; Philippines (the); Australia; Germany

Care

Care needs to be taken with Wavellite because it is soluble and in acid and has a low mohs hardness.