Wavellite is an aluminium basic phosphate mineral with formula Al<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(OH, F)<sub>3</sub>·5H<sub>2</sub>O. Distinct crystals are rare, and it normally occurs as translucent green radial or spherical clusters.

Discovery and occurrence

thumb|left|Wavellite from the Avant Mine, [[Garland County, Arkansas, showing spherical structure (size: 3.4 x 2.0 x 1.1 cm)]]

Wavellite was first described in 1805 for an occurrence at High Down, Filleigh, Devon, England and named by William Babington in 1805 in honor of Dr. William Wavell (1750–1829),

It occurs in association with crandallite and variscite in fractures in aluminous metamorphic rock, in hydrothermal regions and in phosphate rock deposits.

See also

  • List of minerals
  • Apatite, fluoro-phosphate of calcium
  • Pyromorphite, chloro-phosphate of lead
  • Turquoise, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium

References