Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Vauxite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
02039690014977152408760.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
05909080014977205292728.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
06923410014946693194229.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
02096110014950368317260.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
01061390014950369792754.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
06923410014946693194229.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
02039690014977152408760.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
05909080014977205292728.jpg
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About VauxiteHide

09590100014946703716761.jpg
George Vaux, Jr.
Formula:
Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Sky-blue, dark blue; pale blue in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.39 - 2.4
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honor of George Vaux, Jr. (18 December 1863, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - 24 October 1927, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA), attorney, photographer, and mineral collector of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He was nephew of mineral collector William S. Vaux (1811-1882). His collection, that reached about 10,000 specimens of 850 species, went to Bryn Mawr College after his death.
A secondary mineral derived from the alteration of apatite.

Compare also the higher hydrate paravauxite and its dimorph metavauxite.
Ferrivauxite is an oxidized equivalent of vauxite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4164
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4164:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
3307ad12-d776-465b-bfbd-e45698a77601

IMA Classification of VauxiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1922

Classification of VauxiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):
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 ed.:
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

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
VxIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of VauxiteHide

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

Optical Data of VauxiteHide

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

Chemistry of VauxiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2O
Elements listed:
Al, Fe, H, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of VauxiteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.142 Å, b = 11.599 Å, c = 6.158 Å
α = 98.29°, β = 91.93°, γ = 108.27°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.788 : 1 : 0.531
Unit Cell 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.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000176VauxiteBaur W H, Rama Rao B (1968) The crystal structure and the chemical composition of vauxite American Mineralogist 53 1025-103319680293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
10.85 Å(100)
5.457 Å(20)
5.908 Å(12)
2.881 Å(12)
2.596 Å(12)
6.069 Å(10)
3.045 Å(10)
Comments:
Llallagua, Bolivia.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
Geological Setting:
Alteration of apatite.

Type Occurrence of VauxiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí, Bolivia
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #97561, #103542.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal tin veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
WavelliteParavauxite

Other Language Names for VauxiteHide

German:Vauxit
Russian:Воксит
Spanish:Vauxita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
640 photos of Vauxite associated with ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
348 photos of Vauxite associated with ChildreniteFe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O
193 photos of Vauxite associated with MetavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
101 photos of Vauxite associated with QuartzSiO2
101 photos of Vauxite associated with SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2O
78 photos of Vauxite associated with WavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH,F)3 · 5H2O
29 photos of Vauxite associated with PyriteFeS2
20 photos of Vauxite associated with FranckeiteFe2+(Pb,Sn2+)6Sn4+2Sb2S14
8 photos of Vauxite associated with GreenockiteCdS
5 photos of Vauxite associated with RömeriteFe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DC.IanbruceiteZn2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.CésarferreiraiteFe2+ Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.FerrivauxiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.05NissoniteCu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.07EuchroiteCu2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.DC.10LegranditeZn2(AsO4)(OH) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.12StrashimiriteCu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2OMon.
8.DC.15ArthuriteCuFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15EarlshannoniteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15OjuelaiteZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15WhitmoreiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15Cobaltarthurite(Co,Mg)Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15BendadaiteFe2+Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15KunatiteCuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15UM2006-27-PO:FeHZnZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
8.DC.15UKI-2006-(PO:AlCuFeH)Fe2+Al3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
8.DC.17KleemaniteZnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2OMon.
8.DC.20BermaniteMn2+Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.20CoralloiteMn2+Mn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.20MagnesiobermaniteMgMn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.DC.22KovdorskiteMg2(PO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.25FerristrunziteFe3+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric.
8.DC.25FerrostrunziteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric.
8.DC.25MetavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.25MetavivianiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25StrunziteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25ZincostrunziteZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.27BerauniteFe3+6(PO4)4O(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DC.27TvrdýiteFe2+Fe3+2 Al3(PO4)4(OH)5(H2O)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.27ZincoberauniteZnFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.30GordoniteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30LaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30MangangordoniteMn2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30PseudolaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.30SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30StewartiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30UshkoviteMgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30FerrolaueiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kastningite(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30MaghrebiteMgAl2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30NordgauiteMnAl2(PO4)2(F,OH)2 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kayrobertsonite[MnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4] · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30KummeriteMn2+Fe3+Al(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.32TinticiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.32KamarizaiteFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.37VantasseliteAl4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 9H2OOrth.
8.DC.40CacoxeniteFe3+24AlO6(PO4)17(OH)12 · 75H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.45Gormanite(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric.
8.DC.45Souzalite(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric. 1
8.DC.47KingiteAl3(PO4)2F2(OH) · 7H2OTric.
8.DC.50WavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH,F)3 · 5H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DC.50AllanpringiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DC.50FluorwavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)2F · 5H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DC.52KribergiteAl5(PO4)3(SO4)(OH)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.55MapimiteZn2Fe3+3(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 10H2OMon. m : Bm
8.DC.57OgdensburgiteCa2Fe3+4(Zn,Mn2+)(AsO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmmm
8.DC.60Nevadaite(Cu2+,Al,V3+)6Al8(PO4)8F8(OH)2 · 22H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DC.60CloncurryiteCu0.5(VO)0.5Al2(PO4)2F2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.62KenngottiteMn2+3Fe3+4(PO4)4(OH)6(H2O)2 Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.67MolinelloiteCu(H2O)(OH)V4+O(V5+O4)Tric. 1 : P1
8.DC.70WhitecapsiteH16Fe2+5Fe3+14Sb3+6(AsO4)18O16 · 120H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.75HeimitePbCu2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.DC.80LedneviteCu[PO3(OH)] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Other InformationHide

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

Internet Links for VauxiteHide

References for VauxiteHide

Reference List:
Gordon, S. G. (1922) Preliminary notes on vauxite and paravauxite. Science, 56 (1437) 50 doi:10.1126/science.56.1437.50
Newhouse, W.H. (1922) Notes and News. American Mineralogist: 7: 108-109.
Gordon (1923) Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia: 75: 261.
Gordon, Samuel G. (1944) The mineralogy of the tin mines of Cerro de Llallagua, Bolivia. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 96. 279-359p.344
Fleischer, M. (1945) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 30: 548-550.
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.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.
Moore, Paul B., Araki, Takaharu, Kampf, Anthony R., Steele, Ian M. (1976) Olmsteadite, K2Fe2+2[Fe2+2(Nb,Ta)5+2O4(H2O)4(PO4)4], a new species, its crystal structure and relation to vauxite and montgomeryite. American Mineralogist, 61 (1-2) 5-11
Blanchard, F. N., Abernathy, S. A. (1980) X-ray powder diffraction data for the phosphate minerals: vauxite, metavauxite, vivianite, Mn-heterosite, scorzalite, and lazulite. Florida Scientist, 43 (4) 257-265
Anthony, John Williams, Bideaux, Richard A., Bladh, Kenneth W., Nichols, Monte C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy Vol. 4 - Arsenates, phosphates, vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, Arizona.p.625
Djordjević, T., Kolitsch, U. and Stojanovic, J. (2011) Crystal structure and hydrogen bonding in vauxite, Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2•6H2O from Vitlovac locality, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Joint Meeting of the DGK, DMG and ÖMG, Salzburg, Austria, September 20-24, 2011; Abstracts Volume, p. 136.
Ventruti, Gennaro, Schingaro, Emanuela, Monno, Alessandro, Lacalamita, Maria, Della Ventura, Giancarlo, Bellatreccia, Fabio, Cuocci, Corrado, Rossi, Manuela, Capitelli, Francesco (2016) Structure Refinement and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Vauxite From the Type Locality, Llallagua (Bolivia) The Canadian Mineralogist, 54 (1) 163-176 doi:10.3749/canmin.1500060
Van Alboom, A., da Costa, G.M., De Grave, E. (2018) Deficiency of water molecules in the crystallographic structure of vauxite. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 45: 249-257.
(2023) Vauxite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for VauxiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina
 
  • Córdoba Province
    • Punilla Department
      • San Roque District
        • Tanti
Dina (1993)
Bolivia
 
  • Oruro
    • Pantaleón Dalence Province
Anthony et al. (2000)
Kempff et al. (La Paz, 2009)
  • Potosí
    • Rafael Bustillo Province
Gordon (1922)
Gordon (1922) +1 other reference
Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
  • Republika Srpska
    • Srebrenica
Radosavljevic et al. (2005)
Abstracts Volume +2 other references
Brazil
 
  • Goiás
    • Cavalcante
Pires et al. (2020)
Canada
 
  • Northwest Territories
    • Fort Norman
Battler et al. (2013)
Germany
 
  • Bavaria
    • Upper Palatinate
      • Neustadt an der Waldnaab District
        • Waidhaus
          • Reinhardsrieth
Harald G. Dill and Radek Skoda (2015)
Italy
 
  • Sardinia
    • Metropolitan City of Cagliari
      • Sarroch
Stara et al. (1996)
Spain
 
  • Aragon
    • Teruel
      • Castellote
Bauluz et al. (2014)
  • Extremadura
    • Cáceres
      • Zarza la Mayor
Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022)
USA
 
  • Pennsylvania
    • Snyder County
      • Perry Township
        • Mount Pleasant Mills
          • Lime Ridge
K. Cabaniss & L.E. Kearns (2011)
Quick NavTopAbout VauxiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat Discussions Facebook Logo Instagram Logo Discord Logo
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: May 9, 2024 03:15:16 Page updated: April 27, 2024 18:55:01
Go to top of page