Vauxite with Paravauxite and Metavauxite (very rare association)

Item Description

From the great find of 2006, this was undoubtedly a highly significant and momentous discovery for the Siglo XX Mine. This locality has not seen associations specimens of this quality since the days of World War II. The biggest pieces from this find are some of the largest overall Vauxite specimens in the world, but it's the associations that make them even more special. First, if you look at the piece under magnification, the blue Vauxite is associated with micro fibrous white "strands" of the super rare phosphate Metavauxite along sharp tabular micro crystals of Paravauxite - some of which have altered to Sigloite - plus tiny whitish spheres of Wavellite. To have FIVE phosphate species together on one specimen from this mine is a dream for phosphate collectors. The second important aspect of the piece is that these crystals formed in a firm Quartz-Diorite porphyry matrix, and not the typical crumbly clay (after Allophane). This means that these pieces are very sturdy and can be displayed with ease. The fact that this mine is the TYPE LOCALITY for Vauxite, Paravauxite Metavauxite and Sigloite makes it all the more impressive. We have photographed the crystals with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate their quality. Please note that it's remarkably difficult to find any specimens of a single "Vauxite" species on one specimen, and to find all three "Vauxites" together like this is remarkable. This piece was valued at $600 in the inventory.