A mineral is a naturally-occurring, solid, inorganic, crystalline substance having a fairly definite chemical composition and having fairly definite physical pr — Photo: James St. John · CC BY 2.0
Wavellite
Also known as: Wavelite.
A hydrated aluminium phosphate famous for green radiating 'cat's-eye' spheres in rock fractures.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Wavellite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Al₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₃·5H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pcmn). It is a member of the Wavellite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5–4; specific gravity 2.36; typically green or colorless or white or yellow or brown or blue; White streak; Vitreous to resinous, pearly luster; refractive index 1.538; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Wav, IMA status: approved, named in 1805.
Found as a secondary mineral in low-grade metamorphic rocks and phosphate deposits; rare in hydrothermal veins.
It is found associated with Crandallite, variscite.
The name refers to William Wavell (?–1829), physician, of Horwood Parish, Devon, England, discoverer of the species.
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