Model colloidal systems in which the phenomenon of gelation can be studied by characterizing and varying the strength and range of the interaction between the particles are not common. Those model systems that are well studied typically fall into one of three categories – 1) proteins, especially lysozyme, 2) particles experiencing depletion interactions, 3) and thermal gels composed of ocadecyl coated silica particles. However, in the vast majority of these systems the most commonly found force resulting in gelation – van der Waals forces, is typically negligible. Our objective is to create a fourth model system to characterize the phase behavior, microstructure, and gel mechanics in which van der Waals forces are the dominant cause of the gel formation. In our system, monodispersed polystyrene latex particles 200-600nm in diameter coated with the surfactant hexaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E6) form gels through reversible aggregation. Using these particles, we investigate the phase diagram as the back ground ionic strength is raised. At very low ionic strengths the suspensions crystallize due to electrostatic repulsions. At intermediate ionic strengths, the suspensions are fluids. At higher ionic strengths, the suspensions gel. The gels are reversible in that if diluted with an electrolyte solution of the same ionic strength and same surfactant concentration, the gels fall apart and single particles are observed. We report on the ionic strength-volume fraction gel line and the flow properties of the suspensions approaching and within the gels. In addition we report on microstructures of the gels determined by small angle neutron scattering.