TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Vanadinita

Vanadinita is a mineral with formula Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl, in the Vanadatos group. This specimen comes from Bou Almaden, Mibladen, Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2000.

Vanadinita from Bou Almaden, Mibladen, Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos — Terrium

Description

Very thick hexagonal prisms of coagulated blood colour, good lustre. A very good piece. The thickest crystal measures 0.94 across.

About Vanadinita

A lead chlorovanadate, typical for its red, orange or brown hexagonal crystals.

About the locality

Bou Almaden comes from ‏المعادن‎ بو/bou al-maʿādin, meaning "place of minerals" or "place of ore". Mibladen is regarded as the world's best locality for this mineral. It became a classic for the quality of its hexagonal prismatic crystals and the intensity of their colours, from red to orange.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0383
Composition
Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl
Name
Vanadinita
Group
Vanadatos
Category
Cresta Montis
Mine
Bou Almaden
District / Municipality
Mibladen
Province
Midelt
Region
Drâa-Tafilalet
Country
Marruecos
Size (cm)
5.5 x 1.8 x 1.5
Weight
85 g
Acquired
2000
Ex-collection
Diego Navarro
Etymology
Its name derives from "Vanadis", one of the names of Freyja, the goddess of beauty in Scandinavian mythology. It was named thus for the beautiful and varied colours of the element vanadium it contains.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

Related specimens

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