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 2020.
Description
360° floater crystallised on all sides. Composed of thick, sharply defined hexagonal crystals, deep red to red-orange. Well-marked flat faces and stepped growth.
History of this specimen
It belonged to José Miguel Cavía, who together with Calvo Rebollar, Miguel, and Gascón Cuello, Fernando, wrote-published in 1993 the book Minerales de las Comunidades Autónomas del País Vasco y Navarra. He assembled a huge collection that was very well documented, selected, and presented.
About Vanadinita
A lead chlorovanadate, isomorphous with mimetite and pyromorphite. In this specimen it is characterised by thick crystals, deep red colour, good lustre and complete floater development.
About the locality
Bou Almaden, in the Mibladen area, is part of one of Morocco's classic vanadinite zones. Mibladen is regarded as the world reference locality for the quality of its hexagonal crystals and the intensity of their colours.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0394
- Composition
- Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl
- Name
- Vanadinita
- Group
- Vanadatos
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Mine
- Bou Almaden
- District / Municipality
- Mibladen
- Province
- Midelt
- Region
- Drâa-Tafilalet
- Country
- Marruecos
- Acquired
- 2020
- Ex-collection
- José Miguel Cavía
- Etymology
- Its name derives from "Vanadis", one of the names of Freyja, the goddess of beauty in Scandinavian mythology. It was named for the varied colours of the element vanadium it contains.
- Quality
- Top
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Acantita (Paramórfica tras Argentita) — Marruecos
- Andradita (Melanita) — Marruecos
- Apatito — Marruecos
- Aragonito — Marruecos
- Arfvedsonita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos
- Azurita — Marruecos