Overview

Augelite is a rare aluminum phosphate hydroxide, prized by collectors for its sharp wedge-shaped crystals, bright vitreous luster, and associations with classic pegmatite and hydrothermal vein localities. Colors range from colorless and milky white to soft greens and honey tones; the finest pieces can be surprisingly transparent and glassy. Individual crystals are typically small—often a few millimeters to 2–3 cm at best—but they can form elegant clusters on contrasting matrix such as quartz, arsenopyrite, siderite, or schist. A perfect cleavage and relatively modest hardness make pristine, undamaged crystals desirable and sometimes hard to find. Aesthetic, translucent to transparent groups from Portugal and Peru are the current standard-bearers, while classic European occurrences and phosphate-rich metamorphic deposits in Canada supply excellent reference specimens and fine micromounts.

Popularity

Augelite occupies a sweet spot for collectors who appreciate rarities with strong crystal form but without the price volatility of the mainstream “big three.” It is not abundant, and most pockets produce small runs; yet enough material has reached the market—from historical European mines to modern finds in Portugal, Peru, and Canada—that collectors can assemble good representations without chasing unicorns. The species draws attention for:

• Distinctive wedge/“cleaved” look and high luster that reads well even in small sizes.
• Attractive pairings with quartz and sulfides in Panasqueira, and with quartz and arsenopyrite from Peru.
• Classic micro-assemblages with lazulite and siderite from the Yukon phosphate localities.

The finest matrix pieces are scarce and often snapped up quickly, while sharp, damage-free thumbnails and micromounts remain accessible and are perennial favorites in competition cases.

Top Collecting Localities

While augelite is scattered worldwide, a handful of districts are especially known for collectible crystals with strong form, luster, and good associations.

Collector’s Guide

Evaluating Specimen Quality

• Color and Transparency: The most desirable augelite shows bright, water-clear to translucent crystals with a subtle tint (colorless to pale green or honey). Deeply colored pieces are uncommon; value comes more from clarity and luster than strong saturation.
• Luster: Fresh, glassy faces that reflect light cleanly are a hallmark of top augelite. A silky or matte surface usually indicates etching or micro-pitting and is less desirable unless the composition is exceptional.
• Crystal Form: Look for sharp, well-developed wedge to blocky crystals with crisp edges and terminations. Symmetric clusters and freestanding crystals on clean matrix add a lot of eye appeal.
• Size: Most crystals are small; anything approaching 1–2+ cm with good clarity and luster is notable. Quality trumps size—pristine miniature or thumbnail clusters can outshine larger but imperfect examples.
• Matrix and Associations: Contrasting matrix elevates aesthetics. Favorites include augelite on sparkling quartz from Portugal/Peru or on phosphate-bearing matrix from the Yukon. Balanced compositions that display well from a principal angle are preferred.
• Condition: Augelite has perfect cleavage and is relatively brittle (modest hardness), so damage-free tips and edges are prized. Even tiny nicks are visible on glassy faces; choose the best condition you can afford. Repairs should be disclosed and affect value accordingly.

Detecting Repairs or Treatments

• Repairs: Due to perfect cleavage, crystals can separate cleanly. Inspect with a 10x loupe for straight glue seams, slight misalignments in striations, or epoxy residues—especially where crystals meet the matrix. Longwave UV may reveal fluorescent adhesives on some repairs.
• Cleaning/Preparation Effects: Some augelite specimens are acid-cleaned to remove calcite or iron oxides. Over-etching can subtly frost faces or undercut matrix. This isn’t a “treatment” in the gem sense, but excessive cleaning reduces luster; favor pieces with crisp, original faces.
• Polishing and Coatings: Rare for augelite and generally frowned upon; mirror-flat, unusually perfect planes could suggest polishing. Ask for disclosures with high-end pieces.

Care and Storage

Augelite is a display-friendly species but benefits from gentle handling due to perfect cleavage and moderate hardness.

• Handling: Support matrix pieces with two hands; avoid pinching individual crystals or pressing on terminations. Use padded stands or a small amount of mineral tack for stability in cases.
• Cleaning: Dust with a soft brush or air bulb. For grime, use lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap and a very soft brush; rinse and air-dry thoroughly. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, boiling, or aggressive acids—these can induce cleavage or dull luster and may attack matrix.
• Light and Heat: Colors are generally stable; normal LED case lighting is fine. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and heat sources that could cause thermal stress or affect adhesives on repaired pieces.
• Storage: Provide padded separation from harder species (quartz, corundum) and from very soft species that augelite might scratch. Keep in a stable, moderate environment; avoid vibration and shock. Label provenance—locality and pocket details are important for augelite value.

With its crisp wedge crystals, bright luster, and classic associations, augelite offers a rewarding collecting niche—from elegant Panasqueira and Peruvian matrix pieces to historically important European and Yukon phosphate suites.