Wavellite
Wavellite is named after William Wavell, physician in Horwood Parish, Devonshire, England, who discovered the mineral.
Wavellite forms translucent to transparent black, brown, yellowish green to green, white to greenish white, yellow very small crystals and larger characteristic radial aggregates.
Wavellite is cut into attractive cabochons, slabs and other ornamental pieces.
Wavellite forms translucent to transparent black, brown, yellowish green to green, white to greenish white, yellow very small crystals and larger characteristic radial aggregates.
Wavellite is cut into attractive cabochons, slabs and other ornamental pieces.
| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Wavellite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 3.5 to 4, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.36, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Perfect, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven, Gemstones (2009) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Wavellite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.518 to 1.561, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) RI for the alpha, beta and gamma rays is 1.518–1.535, 1.524–1.543 and 1.544–1.561More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/+, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.025, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Nil, Gemstones (2009) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | White to greenish white, yellowish green to green to brown or black, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Translucent, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Vitreous, Gemstones (2009) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Wavellite | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Very small crystals and larger characteristic radial aggregates, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Wavellite occurs as a secondary mineral in low-grade metamorphic rocks and phosphate deposits., Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Wavellite information at mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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