Dark green aggregates of the rare phosphate mineral wicksite from the TL in Yukon (Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada) and one of the only three known localities worldwide. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Wicksite
Wicksite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula NaCa₂Fe²⁺₂(Fe³⁺,Mn²⁺,Fe²⁺)₄(PO₄)₆·2H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pcab). It is a member of the Wicksite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5–5; specific gravity 3.54; Green streak; Submetallic luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Wic, IMA status: approved, named in 1979.
Found in nodules in shale beds in an iron formation.
It is found associated with Wolfeite, satterlyite, marićite, ludlamite, vivianite, pyrite, quartz.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Frederick John Wicks (1937—), Curator of Mineralogy, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada.