Augelite - Encyclopedia

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Anhydrous phosphates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Al₂(PO₄)(OH)₃
    Rarity : Fairly rare

Augelite is an aluminum phosphate present in certain high temperature hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, as well as in metamorphic phosphate and aluminous rocks. Its name comes from the Greek auge (brilliant), in reference to the pearly luster of its cleavage planes. The crystals are tabular, sometimes prismatic, rarely acicular ; they are colorless, yellowish, greenish or pinkish. The augelite also forms cleavable masses, sometimes of significant size. It is a mineral which is not used in any particular field and which remains relatively unknown to collectors.

In France, augelite is known in the pegmatites of Collioure (Pyrénées-Orientales).

A twin seems to be present for this species, but we have not found any information about it except for a photo of a sample known to be twinned from Estaño Orcko mine (Bolivia) of Rob Lavinsky's collection (photo on the right).

No fake recorded for this mineral species.