TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet

Vanadinita

Vanadinita is a mineral with formula Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl, in the Vanadatos group. This specimen comes from ACF Mine, Mibladen, Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2009.

Vanadinita from ACF Mine, Mibladen, Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos — Terrium

Description

360º miniature cluster Floater. Vertical, stalactitic specimen of lustrous, red vanadinite parallel and skeletal growth vanadinite prisms. Good color and luster. The stout, tabular, hexagonal crystals have classic rich reddish-orange color.

History of this specimen

Minor restoration due to being found broken. Belongs to the 2008-2009 find that produced these specimens. Paired with pyromorphite (0300) and mimetite (0299).

About Vanadinita

One of the three lead chloroapatites. A lead chlorovanadate, isomorphous with pyromorphite (P) chlorophosphate and mimetite (As) chloroarsenate. All belong to the chloroapatite group, crystallizing in hexagonal prisms.

About the locality

Visually striking specimens with well-defined crystals and a highly recognizable habit characterize the production from the oxidized zone of these lead-bearing mineralizations. Decades of highly consistent output have established Bou Almaden, in the Mibladen mining district (Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet), as one of the classic localities for Moroccan vanadinite.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0298
Composition
Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl
Name
Vanadinita
Group
Vanadatos
Category
Estélites
Mine
ACF Mine
District / Municipality
Mibladen
Province
Midelt
Region
Drâa-Tafilalet
Country
Marruecos
Size (cm)
4 x 2.7 x 1.4
Weight
20 g
Acquired
2009
Etymology
Its name derives from 'Vanadis', one of the names of Freyja, the goddess of beauty in Norse mythology. It was named this way because of the beautiful and varied colors of the vanadium element it contains.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Incierto

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