Paravauxite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily known for its occurrences in the tin mines of Bolivia. It typically forms as delicate, tabular crystals or radiating sprays in association with other rare phosphate species in hydrothermal tin deposits.
Is this paravauxite?
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 paravauxite with a known reference. Paravauxite 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. Paravauxite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paravauxite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates, druzy.
Often confused with
Paravauxite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside paravauxite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paravauxite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Al₂P₂O₈(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates, Druzy
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find paravauxite
Classic worldwide localities
- Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Bolivia
- Huanuni, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin deposits country — that is the host setting where paravauxite typically forms. If you start seeing vauxite, metavauxite, wavellite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates, druzy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find paravauxite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
