Wendwilsonite Locality: Aghbar Mine (Arhbar Mine), Aghbar, Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province , Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: miniature, 5.2 x 5.2 x 5 cm Wendwilsonite A beautiful specimen with a rich, glittering covering of large and bright wendwilsonite xls to 5 or 6 mm in size. This is an exceptionally pretty specimen because of the contrasting matrix and the overall 3-dimensionality of the piece. 5.2 x 5.2 x 5 cm — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Wendwilsonite
Wendwilsonite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Ca₂Mg(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c). It is a member of the Roselite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3–4; specific gravity 3.52; Pale pink streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Wdw, IMA status: approved, named in 1985.
Found as a rare secondary mineral in cobalt-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits.
It is found associated with Talmessite, erythrite (Bou Azzer, Morocco).
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Wendell Eugene Wilson, Jr. (1946–), Editor and Publisher of the Mineralogical Record, for his contributions to specimen mineralogy.