Wavellite Gem Guide and Properties Chart

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

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

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

Blue
Brown
Colorless
Green
White
Yellow

Countries of Origin

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

Care

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