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Vauxite

Big Photo

Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Bustillo Province (Bustillos Province), Potosí Department, Bolivia
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Vauxite Photos (84)
Formula:
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Sky-blue, dark blue; ...
Hardness:3½
Name:Named after George Vaux, Jr. (1863-1927), attorney and mineral collector of Bryn Mawr, Pennslvania (USA).


Vantasselite Group.

A secondary mineral derived from the alteration of apatite.

Classification of Vauxite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.09-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DC.35

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1 and < 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.11.14.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.14.23

19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
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Type Occurrence of Vauxite

Type Locality:Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Bustillo Province (Bustillos Province), Potosí Department, Bolivia
Place of Conservation of Type Material:U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #97561, #103542.
Year of Discovery:1922
Geological Setting of type material:Hydrothermal tin veins.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WavelliteParavauxite

Occurrences of Vauxite

Geological Setting:Alteration of apatite.

Physical Properties of Vauxite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Sky-blue, dark blue; pale blue in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Density (measured):2.39 - 2.4 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.4 g/cm3

Crystallography of Vauxite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 9.142Å, b = 11.599Å, c = 6.158Å
α = 98.29°, β = 91.93°, γ = 108.27°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.788 : 1 : 0.531
Unit Cell Volume:V 611.42 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Crystals tabular {010}, elongated [001] or [101]. May exhibit may forms, including {010}, {110}, {111}, {101}, {111}, {101}, and {140}. Forms radial to subparallel aggregates; nodular.
Twinning:on {010}, twin and composition plane.

Optical Data of Vauxite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.551 nβ = 1.555 nγ = 1.562
2V:Measured: 32°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.011

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r > v weak
Pleochroism:Strong
Comments:X = Z = Colourless
Y = Blue

Chemical Properties of Vauxite

Formula:
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, Fe, H, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Al, Fe, H, O, P

Relationship of Vauxite to other Species

Common Associates:
Wavellite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DC.05Nissonite
Cu
 
2
Mg
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.DC.07Euchroite
Cu
 
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
8.DC.10Legrandite
Zn
 
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
8.DC.12Strashimirite
Cu
 
8
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Arthurite
CuFe
3+
2
[(OH,O)|(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Earlshannonite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Ojuelaite
ZnFe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Whitmoreite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Cobaltarthurite
(Co,Mg)Fe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Bendadaite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15Kunatite
CuFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15UKI-2006-(PO:FeHZn)
ZnFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.DC.15UKI-2006-(PO:AlCuFeH)
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.DC.17Kleemanite
ZnAl
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.DC.20Bermanite
Mn
2+
 
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
[Mn
3+
2
(OH)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
8.DC.22Kovdorskite
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)·3H
 
2
O
8.DC.25Ferristrunzite
Fe
3+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.DC.25Ferrostrunzite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.DC.25Metavauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.25Strunzite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.DC.27Beraunite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
5
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
] · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Gordonite
MgAl
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Laueite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Mangangordonite
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Paravauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Pseudolaueite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Sigloite
Fe
3+
 
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Stewartite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Ushkovite
MgFe
3+
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Ferrolaueite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Kastningite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.30Maghrebite
MgAl
 
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DC.32Tinticite
Fe
3+
4
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.DC.37Vantasselite
Al
 
4
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 9H
 
2
O
8.DC.40Cacoxenite
Fe
3+
24
Al[(OH)
 
12
|O
 
6
|(PO
 
4
)
 
17
] · 17H
 
2
O
8.DC.45Gormanite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DC.45Souzalite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DC.47Kingite
Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 9H
 
2
O
8.DC.50Wavellite
Al
 
3
[(OH,F)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 5H
 
2
O
8.DC.50Allanpringite
Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 5H
 
2
O
8.DC.52Kribergite
Al
 
5
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
8.DC.55Mapimite
Zn
 
2
Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
4
|(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 10H
 
2
O
8.DC.57Ogdensburgite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
4
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
)[(OH)
 
3
|(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.DC.60Nevadaite
(Cu
2+
 
,Al,V
3+
 
)
 
6
Al
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
8
F
 
8
(OH)
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
22
8.DC.60Cloncurryite
(Cu,VO)Al
 
2
[(F,OH)|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4.5-5H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.14.1Cyrilovite
NaFe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.2Kidwellite
NaFe
3+
9
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.14.3Rosemaryite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe
2+
 
)(Fe
3+
 
,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.14.4Wyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.14.5Ferrowyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.14.6Natrodufrénite
NaFe
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
5
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.7Leucophosphite
KFe
3+
2
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.8Spheniscidite
(NH
 
4
,K)(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.9Burangaite
(Na,Ca
 
0.5
)(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
5
[(OH,O)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.10Satterlyite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH,O)|PO
 
4
]
19.14.11Ushkovite
MgFe
3+
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.12Garyansellite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,O)·1.5H
 
2
O
19.14.13Thadeuite
Ca(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.14.14Anapaite
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.14.15Xanthoxenite
Ca
 
4
Fe
3+
2
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.16Calcioferrite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
2
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 7H
 
2
O
19.14.17Mitridatite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
3
[O
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.18Mélonjosephite
CaFe
2+
 
Fe
3+
 
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
19.14.19Delvauxite
CaFe
 
4
(PO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
·4-6H
 
2
O not confirmed·
19.14.20Collinsite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.21Segelerite
Ca
 
2
 Mg
 
2
 Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.22Kingsmountite
Ca
 
4
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.14.24Metavauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.25Paravauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.26Sigloite
Fe
3+
 
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
19.14.27Cacoxenite
Fe
3+
24
Al[(OH)
 
12
|O
 
6
|(PO
 
4
)
 
17
] · 17H
 
2
O
19.14.28Koninckite
Fe
3+
 
[PO
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.29Lazulite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.14.30Scorzalite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.14.31Souzalite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.32Gormanite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.33Zaïrite
Bi(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
6
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]

Other Names for Vauxite

Other Languages:
German:Vauxit
Russian:Воксит
Spanish:Vauxita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Vauxite

Reference List:Gordon (1922) Science: 56: 50.

American Mineralogist (1922): 7: 108.

Gordon (1923) Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia: 75: 261.

Gordon (1944) Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia: 96: 344.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 974-975.

Baur, W.H. and B. Rama Rao (1968) The crystal structure and the chemical composition of vauxite. American Mineralogist (1968): 53: 1025-1028.

Blanchard, F.N. and S.A. Abernathy (1980) X-ray powder diffraction data for phosphate minerals: vauxite, metavauxite,
vivianite, Mn-heterosite, scorzalite, and lazulite. Florida Scientist, 43, 257–265.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 625.

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    Localities for Vauxite

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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Bolivia
     
    • Oruro Department
      • Dalence Province
    		Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 625 (probably erroneous)
    • Potosí Department
      • Bustillo Province (Bustillos Province)
    American Mineralogist (1922): 7: 107-108; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 975.
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