Wavellite
A variety of Wavellite Group
What is Wavellite?
Wavellite is a fairly rare mineral famous for an unusual crystal form. Wavellite crystals may form into radial "starbursts", which have the appearance of a rayed sun or of a circular folding fan. Specimens are often colorless or brownish, but deeply colored green or yellow crystals exhibiting the "starburst" formation are especially prized by collectors.
Uses & Applications
It is sometimes used as a gemstone.
Healing Properties
Wavellite is believed to bring out the good in a person, helping them to show more compassion and kindness for others. Considered by many to represent peace and love, it is said that this stone can reveal a person's hidden emotions, allowing them to heal from past trauma. Often used during full and new moon rituals, it may increase a person's intuitive abilities and innovative ideas.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.518-1.561
- Birefringence
- 0.025
- Pleochroism
- None
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
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The Meaning
Wavellite is thought to be one of the quartz crystals used by ancient Celts who believed that it could magically cure disease in cattle. What's more, it is rumored that ancient civilizations of Central and South America would carve wavellite into human skull shapes and venerate them, although no original artifacts to verify this have been excavated.
Associated Chakras
Key Characteristics
Formation of Wavellite
Wavellite was first described in 1805 for an occurrence at High Down, Filleigh, Devon, England and named by William Babington in 1805 in honor of Dr. William Wavell (1750–1829), a Devon-based physician, botanist, historian, and naturalist, who brought the mineral to the attention of fellow-mineralogists. It occurs in association with crandallite and variscite in fractures in aluminous metamorphic rock, in hydrothermal regions and in phosphate rock deposits. It is found in a wide variety of locations notably in the Mount Ida, Arkansas area in the Ouachita Mountains. It is sometimes used as a gemstone.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Green to yellowish-green and yellow, greenish white, yellowish-brown, brown, brownish-black, blue, white, colourless
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5 - 4
- Density
- 2.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly, Greasy, Vitreous
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)3 · 5H2O
- Elements
- Al, F, H, O, P
Also Known As
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