Paravauxite with Sigloite (very rare)

Item Description

These are some of the most beautiful phosphates in the world. They are highly prized for their rarity and wonderful crystal form. This specimen features very rare, attractive, sharp bladed crystals of light green color Paravauxite and tan color Sigloite on micro iron-stained Wavellite on matrix. Sigloite forms as an alteration of Paravauxite, so you can see the process taking place before your eyes on this piece. The largest crystal measures 7 mm. This specimen is from the type locality for both Paravauxite and Sigloite. 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.