Wavellite

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Name/Title

Wavellite

Entry/Object ID

2004.1.141

Description

Chemical Composition: Al3(PO4)2(OH)3-(H2O)5 Crystal System: Orthorhombic System Description: Common Name: Wavellite Group Name: Phosphates Chemistry: Al3(PO4)2(OH)3-(H2O)5 Location: Slate Mountain Mine, El Dorado County, CA Description: PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color is characteristically green but also white, colorless, yellow and brown. Luster is vitreous. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m Crystal Habit is almost exclusively radiating acicular crystals forming globules or botryoidal masses. Cleavage is perfect in two directions. Fracture is uneven. Hardness is 3.5 - 4. Specific Gravity is approximately 2.3+ (light even for translucent minerals) Streak is white. Associated Minerals are quartz, micas, turquoise and limonite. Other Characteristics: surface of globules often have minute crystals giving off tiny sparkles. Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, green color and softness. Fracture: uneven Hardness: 3 Calcite Luster: Vitreous Occurrence: Notable Occurances include Arkansas and Pennsylvania, USA; Bolivia and England. Specific Gravity: 2.3 Streak: white

Collection

Suomynona Mineral Collection, Suomynona Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2004.1

Source or Donor

Suomynona Mineral Collection

Acquisition Method

Donation

Dimensions

Width

4-1/2 in

Depth

2-1/2 in

Length

6-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Dimension taken at widest points

Location

Location

* Untyped Location

DS-11

Room

Delmar Smith Hall

Building

Crater Rock Museum

Category

Exhibit

Moved By

Ian C.

Date

January 21, 2025

Notes

USA Case Installation