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Formula: Al3(PO4)2(OH)3.5H2O
Hydrated phosphate with hydroxyl
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 2.36 measured, 2.37 calculated
Hardness: 3½ to 4
Streak: White
Colour: Green to yellowish-green and yellow, greenish white, yellowish-brown, brown, brownish-black,
blue, white and colourless; colourless in transmitted light.
Solubility: Readily soluble in acids
Common impurities: F,Fe
Environments:
Sedimentary environments
Metamorphic environments
Hydrothermal environments (rare)
Wavellite is a secondary mineral common in aluminous
low-grade metamorphic rocks, in phosphate rock deposits and rarely as
a late-formed hydrothermal mineral in veins. Associated minerals include limonite,
crandallite and
variscite
(Dana, HOM).
The type locality is the High Down Quarry, West Buckland, North Devon, Devon, England, UK.
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