Paravauxite appears to be different from vauxite only in the number of water molecules in the structure. But the presence of these water molecules alters the structure to the point that paravauxite has perfect cleavage while in sharp contrast, vauxite has no cleavage. The only other significant differences include paravauxite's green to colorless color verses vauxite's blue color. All are associated with the primary tin ore, cassiterite . They form as a result of precipitation from hydrothermal solutions.
Color is pale to dark blue.
Luster is vitreous. Specimens are translucent to transparent. Crystal System is triclinic. Crystal Habits include tabular crystals and radiating fibrous clusters. Cleavage is absent.