Paravauxite (very rare)

Item Description

Paravauxite is a very distinctive and notably rare phosphate species, best known from the type locality, the Siglo XX Mine in Bolivia. These classic specimens are highly prized for their rarity and wonderful crystal form. This small cabinet specimen features good quality, very rare, attractive, sharp bladed crystals of light green color Paravauxite on micro iron-stained Wavellite on matrix. A small amount of the crystals are altering to tan Sigloite, for which the Siglo XX Mine is also the type locality. The largest crystal measures 8 mm. Most of the crystals are undamaged and look great under magnification. Mark Chance Bandy described Paravauxite crystals in his book "Mineralogy of Llallagua, Bolivia". He states that Paravauxite is the most abundant of all the "Vauxites" from this mine, and with that said, you almost never see specimens, especially pieces that are larger than thumbnails available on the market. This piece is a great example of the prismatic, sheaf-like parallel growths that Mr. Bandy described.