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Vauxite

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Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
Vauxite

Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Rafael Bustillo Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia
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About VauxiteHide

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 after George Vaux, Jr. (December 18, 1863 - October 24, 1927), attorney and mineral collector of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (USA).
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.


Classification of VauxiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Strunz 8th ed.:
7/D.09-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
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

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

Chemical Properties of VauxiteHide

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.

Type Occurrence of VauxiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Siglo Veinte Mine (Siglo XX Mine; Llallagua Mine; Catavi), Llallagua, Rafael 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.
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

WavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH,F)3 · 5H2O
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Paravauxite569 photos of Vauxite associated with Paravauxite on mindat.org.
Childrenite323 photos of Vauxite associated with Childrenite on mindat.org.
Metavauxite150 photos of Vauxite associated with Metavauxite on mindat.org.
Quartz81 photos of Vauxite associated with Quartz on mindat.org.
Sigloite75 photos of Vauxite associated with Sigloite on mindat.org.
Wavellite58 photos of Vauxite associated with Wavellite on mindat.org.
Pyrite27 photos of Vauxite associated with Pyrite on mindat.org.
Franckeite20 photos of Vauxite associated with Franckeite on mindat.org.
Greenockite8 photos of Vauxite associated with Greenockite on mindat.org.
Römerite5 photos of Vauxite associated with Römerite on mindat.org.

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz GroupingHide

8.DC.05NissoniteCu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2OMon.
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.
8.DC.15EarlshannoniteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
8.DC.15OjuelaiteZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
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.15UKI-2006-(PO:FeHZn)ZnFe3+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.22KovdorskiteMg2(PO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon.
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.27BerauniteFe2+Fe3+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.
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.
8.DC.30StewartiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30UshkoviteMgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric.
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.32TinticiteFe3+5.34(PO4)3.62(VO4)0.38(OH)4 · 6.7H2OTric. 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.
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.52KribergiteAl5(PO4)3(SO4)(OH)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.55MapimiteZn2Fe3+3(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 10H2OMon.
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

Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)Hide

42.11.14.2ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
42.11.14.3SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2OTric.
42.11.14.4GordoniteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
42.11.14.5MangangordoniteMn2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric.

Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals GroupingHide

19.14.1CyriloviteNaFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2OTet. 4 2 2 : P41 21 2
19.14.2KidwelliteNaFe3+9+x(PO4)6(OH)11 · 3H2O, x = 0.33Mon. 2/m : P2/b
19.14.3Rosemaryite(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Mg)Al(PO4)3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
19.14.4Wyllieite(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3Mon. 2/m
19.14.5Ferrowyllieite(Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
19.14.6NatrodufréniteNaFe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OMon.
19.14.7LeucophosphiteKFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
19.14.8Spheniscidite(NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon.
19.14.9BurangaiteNaFe2+Al5(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
19.14.10Satterlyite(Fe2+,Mg,Fe)12(PO4)5(PO3OH)(OH,O)6Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m
19.14.11UshkoviteMgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric.
19.14.12Garyansellite(Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2(OH,O) · 1.5H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
19.14.13ThadeuiteCa(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2Orth. 2 2 2 : C2 2 21
19.14.14AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
19.14.15XanthoxeniteCa4Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
19.14.16CalcioferriteCa2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH) · 7H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
19.14.17MitridatiteCa2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
19.14.18MélonjosephiteCaFe2+Fe3+(PO4)2(OH)
19.14.19DelvauxiteCaFe4(PO4,SO4)2(OH)8 · 4-6H2O not confirmed · Amor.
19.14.20CollinsiteCa2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
19.14.21SegeleriteCa2 Mg2 Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pcca
19.14.22KingsmountiteCa4(Fe2+,Mn2+)Al4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon. 2 : B2
19.14.24MetavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
19.14.25ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
19.14.26SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2OTric.
19.14.27CacoxeniteFe3+24AlO6(PO4)17(OH)12 · 75H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
19.14.28KoninckiteFe3+PO4 · 3H2OTet.
19.14.29LazuliteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
19.14.30ScorzaliteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
19.14.31Souzalite(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric.
19.14.32Gormanite(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric.
19.14.33ZaïriteBiFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)6Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m

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.

References for VauxiteHide

Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
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.
T. Djordjević, U. Kolitsch and J. Stojanovic (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, G., Schingaro, E., Monno, A., Lacalamita, M., Della Ventura, G., Bellatreccia, F., Cuocci, C., Rossi, M., Capitelli, F. (2016): Structure refinement and vibrational spectroscopy of vauxite from the type locality, Llallagua (Bolivia). Canadian Mineralogist, 54, 163-176.
A. Van Alboom, G. M. da Costa, E. De Grave (2018): Deficiency of water molecules in the crystallographic structure of vauxite. Phys. Chem. Minerals 45, 249-257.

Internet Links for VauxiteHide

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 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 (eg from pseudomorphs.)

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina
 
  • Córdoba
    • Punilla Department
      • Tanti
 Dina, H. (1993). Hentschelita en Cerro Blanco, Tanti, Córdoba. Informacion Tecnologica, 48(3-4), 277-282.
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)
Kempff, O., Paar, W.H., Tawackoli, S.: "Minerales de Bolivia", 115pp (La Paz, 2009)
  • Potosí Department
    • Rafael Bustillo Province (Bustillos Province)
Gordon, S. G. (1922). Preliminary Notes on Vauxite and Paravauxite. Science, 50.
American Mineralogist (1922) 7, 107-108.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
  • Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Tuzla Canton
      • Srebrenica
T. Djordjević, U. Kolitsch and J. Stojanovic (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.; Radosavljević, S., Đorđević, D., Stojanović, J., Radosavljević-Mihajlović, A., & Kašić, V. (2014). Srebrenica Orefield, Podrinje Metallogenic District, Republic of Srpska, B&h: Hydrated Fe (Al)-phosphates and Their Parageneses Within the Pb-Zn Mineralization. Архив за техничке науке, 1(11), 1-6.
Canada
 
  • Northwest Territories
    • Mackenzie District
      • Fort Norman
Battler, M. M., Osinski, G. R., Lim, D. S., Davila, A. F., Michel, F. A., Craig, M. A., ... & Preston, L. J. (2013). Characterization of the acidic cold seep emplaced jarositic Golden Deposit, NWT, Canada, as an analogue for jarosite deposition on Mars. Icarus, 224(2), 382-398.
Germany
 
  • Bavaria
    • Upper Palatinate
      • Neustadt an der Waldnaab
        • Reinhardsrieth
Harald G. Dill and Radek Skoda (2015) The new Nb–P aplite at Reinhardsrieth: A keystone in the lateral and depth zonations of the Hagendorf–Pleystein Pegmatite Field, SE Germany. Ore Geology Reviews 70:208–227.
Spain
 
  • Aragón
    • Teruel
      • Castellote
Bauluz, B., Gasca, J. M., Moreno‐Azanza, M., & Canudo, J. I. (2014). Unusual replacement of biogenic apatite by aluminium phosphate phases in dinosaur teeth from the Early Cretaceous of Spain. Lethaia, 47(4), 556-566.
USA
 
  • Pennsylvania
    • Snyder Co.
      • Perry Township
        • Mount Pleasant Mills
          • Lime Ridge
K. Cabaniss & L.E. Kearns (2011) The 38th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, April 14-17, 2011, lecture abstracts, page 13.
Mineral and/or Locality  
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