Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Siglo XX mine, level 480, Potosi State, Bolivia
SIZE : Crystals: 2-3 cm

This specimen comes froms Siglo Viento Mine (Mine Siglo XX) in Bolivia. The very pale green crystals of paravauxite measure between 2 and 3 cm and are spread out on a matrix of pyrite. The facets are reflective.

There are orange dapples dispersed, these are sigloite Fe3+ Al2 (PO4)2 (OH)3 7H2O. This mineral come from the change of Fe2+ contained in the paravauxite to Fe3+.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Paravauxite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word [para] meaning nextby and ist chemistry related to vauxite which name is dedicated to Georges Vaux Jr (1863-1927)

Species first described in 1922 by Samuel Gordon (1897-1953), American mineralogist

Type-locality: Mine of Siglo Viente, Llallagua, Potosi, Bolivia

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Fe2+ Al2 (PO4)2 (OH)2 . 6H2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Triclinic
COLOR : Greenish white, colorless
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous, pearly
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Small prismatic crystals, radial aggregates
HARDNESS : 3
DENSITY : 2,37

CHEMICAL CLASS : VII - Phosphates, arsenat
GROUP : Paravauxite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 7/D.10-30
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 8.DC.30

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Paravauxite

Paravauxite

MNHN N°201.8

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