Metavauxite is a rare phosphate mineral often found as an alteration product of vauxite in tin mines. Collectors should look for its distinctive thin, bladed crystals that typically occur in radiating sprays or as crusts on matrix specimens.
Is this metavauxite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch metavauxite with a known reference. Metavauxite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Metavauxite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metavauxite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Metavauxite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside metavauxite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metavauxite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Al₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and clarity
Where rockhounds find metavauxite
Classic worldwide localities
- Siglo XX Mine, Llallagua, Bolivia
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin veins country — that is the host setting where metavauxite typically forms. If you start seeing vauxite, paravauxite, childrenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find metavauxite on the map
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