Wavellite: The Grape Mineral

     Wavellite is a mineral that has an unusual shape and an unusual description. Wavellite can be defined both as a “phosphate mineral” and as a “secondary mineral.” A phosphate mineral is a mineral that contains a phosphate ion (PO4) which is composed of the elements phosphorous and oxygen. There are hundreds of phosphate minerals on the earth. A secondary mineral is a mineral that was formed by the chemical alteration of another mineral. Simply put, when one mineral undergoes a chemical reaction and changes its chemical makeup to form a new mineral, this new mineral is called a secondary mineral.
     Wavellite crystals are almost always acicular (needle-shaped), but these needle-like crystals often form some of the most interesting mineral aggregations that I have ever seen. Wavellite crystals are often found bunched together as radial sprays (crystals that radiate from a central point like sunbeams), hemispheres, and spheres. When broken open these spheres and hemispheres have a radial appearance that is similar in appearance to the cross-section of a Popsicle.
     Wavellite spheres often remind me of a bunch or grapes because they are often packed so closely together. It is because of this fact (which is called a botyroidal habit) that I call wavellite the "grape mineral."  The fact that they often display a green color doesn’t hurt the idea either!
     Wavellite serves only one major use outside of mineral collecting and that is as an ore of the element phosphorous. Phosphorous is a non-metallic chemical element that is found in Group VA of the Periodic Table. In modern industry phosphorous is used mainly to make safety matches and a chemical called phosphoric acid.
     Wavellite is found in Australia, England, Germany, France, and many parts of the United States of America.
     I find wavellite an interesting specimen because of its chemical composition and because of its grape-like appearance. If my specimen was any larger I might have to resist the temptation to bite it!