Unfortunately there is little to tell metavauxite from paravauxite without X-ray laboratory tests. The rarer metavauxite lacks evident cleavage and forms prismatic crystals compared to paravauxite's perfect cleavage and typical tabular habit. Vauxite, paravauxite and metavauxite are all found at the famous tin oxide deposits at Llallagua, Potosi, Bolivia. All are associated with the primary tin ore, cassiterite . They form as a result of precipitation from hydrothermal solutions.
Color is colorless, white or pale green.
Luster is vitreous to silky. Specimens are translucent to transparent. Crystal System is monoclinic. Crystal Habits include prismatic crystals and radiating clusters. Cleavage is not evident.