Augelite Explained

Augelite
Category:Phosphate mineral
Formula:Al2(PO4)(OH)3
Imasymbol:Aul[1]
Strunz:8.BE.05
System:Monoclinic
Class:Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:C2/m
Unit Cell:a = 13.124(6), b = 7.988(5)
c = 5.0633(3) [Å]
β = 112.25(2)°; Z = 4
Color:Colorless to white, may be yellowish to pale rose, greenish
Habit:Tabular to prismatic or acicular crystals; massive
Cleavage:Perfect on, good on, imperfect on and
Fracture:Uneven
Tenacity:Brittle
Mohs:4 – 4.5
Luster:Vitreous, pearly on cleavage
Streak:White
Diaphaneity:Transparent
Gravity:2.696
Opticalprop:Biaxial (+)
Refractive:nα = 1.574 nβ = 1.576 nγ = 1.588
Birefringence:δ = 0.014
2V:Measured: 50°
References:[2] [3]

Augelite is an aluminium phosphate mineral with formula: Al2(PO4)(OH)3. The shade varies from colorless to white, yellow or rose. Its crystal system is monoclinic.[4]

It was first described by Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand for an occurrence in Västanå iron mine at Scania, Sweden in 1868 and derives its name from the Greek αύγή in reference to its pearly lustre.[2] [3]

It occurs as a product of metamorphism of phosphate bearing peraluminous sediments and in high-temperature hydrothermal ore deposits. It occurs in association with attakolite, svanbergite, lazulite, hematite, trolleite, berlinite, rutile, pyrophyllite, baryte, arsenopyrite, stannite, pyrite, andorite, cassiterite and zinkenite.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.
  2. http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/augelite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. http://www.mindat.org/min-451.html Mindat.org
  4. Richard V. Gaines, H. Catherine W. Skinner, Eugene E. Foord, Brian Mason, and Abraham Rosenzweig: "Dana's new mineralogy", p. 851. John Wiley & Sons, 1997