1.6" Sparkly Red Vanadinite Crystals On White Barite Blades Mineral Mabladen Morocco

Location: Mabladen, Morocco

Weight: 2.5 Ounces

Dimension: 1.6 Inches Long, 1.6 Inches Wide, 1.1 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Barite

Barite is well-known for its great range of colors and varied crystal forms and habits. It is an immensely popular mineral among collectors. Barite is easily identifiable by its heavy weight since most similar minerals are much lighter. Barite often replaces other minerals and may even replace organic materials such as wood, shells, and fossils. It sometimes forms tufaceous mounds from the deposition of hot, barium-rich springs.

Vanadinite

Vanadinite is a striking mineral celebrated for its bright-red to orange crystals, often perfectly formed and displaying a surreal, almost otherworldly appearance. Its vibrant color and unique crystal habits make it highly sought after by collectors and mineral enthusiasts. Chemically, Vanadinite belongs to the apatite group of phosphates, which adds to its geological significance.

Formation
Vanadinite typically forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of lead deposits. It develops when vanadium-bearing solutions react with lead-rich minerals, resulting in the deposition of its characteristic hexagonal crystals. This process usually occurs in arid regions where oxidation is prominent, giving rise to Vanadinite’s vivid color and distinct crystal shapes.

Properties

• Color: Bright-red, orange, brown, or yellow

• Crystal System: Hexagonal

• Hardness: 3–4 on the Mohs scale

• Luster: Resinous to sub-adamantine

• Transparency: Transparent to translucent
  These physical properties, combined with its unique coloration, make Vanadinite easily recognizable among minerals.

Uses
While Vanadinite is primarily a collector’s mineral due to its aesthetic appeal, it is also an important ore of vanadium, which is used in the production of steel alloys and batteries. However, because of its scarcity and attractive crystals, it is mostly valued in gem and mineral collections rather than industrial applications.