Wavellite

Wavellite from Devon UK Size- 5.5cm x 5cm x 2.4cm Weight- 58g You will receive the item in the photo Wavellite is a rare hydrated aluminium phosphate mineral. Wavellite falls under the phosphate mineral class. It has a layered atomic framework consisting of aluminium centred Octahedra cross linked by phosphate tetrahedra and water molecules in the interlayer spaces. Wavellite crystallizes in the orthorhombic Crystal system. Wavellite is typically found as a secondary mineral rather than forming directly from cooling magma. It occurs in aluminium rich low grade metamorphic rocks like slates,shakes and cherts and phosphate rock deposits. It forms when aluminium and phosphorus are dissolved out of host rocks by deep circulating hot hydrothermal fluids or groundwater. These fluids circulate through fractures and joints precipitating the secondary Wavellite crystals onto the rock matrix. The hardness is 3.5-4 on the MOHs scale.