This shorter version is what is often used in some references. The shorter version is approximately one sixth of the larger one except for the addition of one aluminum and an adjustment to the number of oxygens and water molecules. This change requires the loss of three oxygens in order to balance the formula due to the change in charge from one negative 3 phosphate group to the negative 9 aluminum group. Natural cacoxenite contains one aluminum group for every 17 phosphates making the larger formula more accurate, if not less cumbersome. Luster is vitreous to silky.
Specimens are translucent to transparent.
Crystal System is hexagonal. Crystal Habits include acicular radiating crystals often as inclusions, also massive, globular, botryoidal and fibrous tufts. Cleavage is poor. Fracture is fibrous. Streak is yellow.