Paravauxite
General
Category	Mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
IMA symbol	Pvx[1]
Strunz classification	8.DC.30
Dana classification	42.11.14.2
Crystal system	Triclinic
Crystal class	Pinacoidal H-M Symbol: 1
Space group	P1
Unit cell	334.43
Identification
Formula mass	477.89
Color	Light brown, pale greenish white, gray-white, colorless
Cleavage	Perfect on {010}
Fracture	Conchoidal
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	3
Luster	Sub-Vitreous, resinous, waxy, pearly
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent, translucent
Specific gravity	2.36
Density	Measured: 2.36 Calculated: 2.37
Optical properties	Biaxial (+)
Refractive index	nα = 1.552 - 1.554 nβ = 1.558 - 1.559 nγ = 1.572 - 1.573
Birefringence	0.020
Pleochroism	None
2V angle	Measured: 72° Calculated: 74°
Dispersion	Weak to distinct
Extinction	X (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