Vauxite, Paravauxite, Metavauxite, Sigloite, Quartz, Wavellite and Römerite

From the find of 2006, this is undoubtedly one of the most significant and momentous discoveries ever made at this locality. Not since the days of World War II has there been such a remarkable find of this material. These are, simply put, some of the largest overall Vauxite specimens in the world, but the greatest aspect of these pieces is two-fold. First, the Vauxite itself is associated with micro fibrous "strands" of the super rare phosphate Metavauxite, tabular micro crystals of Paravauxite, and tiny tan crystals of Sigloite and small whitish spheres of Wavellite, which means that these are just a dream for phosphate collectors. It is incredibly rare to have FIVE individual phosphate species all on one specimen, and the fact that this mine is the TYPE LOCALITY for Vauxite, Paravauxite, Sigloite and Metavauxite makes it even better!

There are also some small gem Quartz crystals on most of the specimens found as well, which is really a nice touch to these already amazing pieces. The second significant attribute of these specimens is the fact that they formed on a solid Quartz-Diorite porphyry matrix, and not crumbly clay (after Allophane) which means that they are much sturdier and allows the pieces to be displayed with ease. Now, you must note that despite the sturdy matrix, the crystals themselves are somewhat brittle and must be handled with care. Nonetheless, this is a MAJOR find of these incredibly rare minerals, the likes of which I've never seen from Bolivia, or any other world locality.

This particular piece is a remarkable, very well crystallized, ridiculously rare, specimen consisting of small, bladed, beautiful blue color, radiating aggregates of Vauxite associated with micro fibrous strands of colorless Metavauxite, along with micro tabular white-green crystals of Paravauxite and tan blades of Sigloite (which forms as an alteration of Paravauxite) plus whitish spheres of Wavellite and a few scattered gem quality Quartz crystals on firm Quartz-Diorite porphyry matrix. I have photographed the crystals under the microscope to show that they are truly terminated crystals and not just a mass. While looking under the microscope, I found one small orange-red crystal group which I believe to be the uncommon iron sulfate, Römerite, which means that this specimen has at least SEVEN individual species on the same piece.

To find all three "Vauxites" together on one piece is amazing, even if they are micro crystallized. This piece is from the type locality for Vauxite, Paravauxite, Sigloite and Metavauxite which was discovered along the Contacto and San Jose veins in this mine and was first described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy. It is so unbelievably rare to find good size, beautifully crystallized matrix specimens of Vauxite from Bolivia like this one.

Specimen # BOL711B194