1.9" Sparkly Red Vanadinite Crystals On White Barite Blades Mineral Mabladen Morocco
Location: Mabladen, Morocco
Weight: 1.4 Ounces
Dimension: 1.9 Inches Long, 1.5 Inches Wide, 0.8 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 known for its bright-red to orange crystals, often perfectly formed and exhibiting a surreal, almost otherworldly appearance. Its vibrant coloration and sharp, hexagonal crystal habits make it highly prized by collectors and mineral enthusiasts. Chemically, Vanadinite belongs to the apatite group of phosphates, which adds to its geological and mineralogical significance.
Formation
Vanadinite typically forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of lead deposits. When vanadium-bearing solutions interact with lead-rich minerals, Vanadinite crystallizes, creating its distinctive hexagonal forms. These conditions are most commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions, where oxidation processes are prominent.
Properties
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Color: Bright-red, orange, brown, or yellow
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Crystal System: Hexagonal
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Hardness: 3–4 on the Mohs scale
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Luster: Resinous to sub-adamantine
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Transparency: Transparent to translucent
These properties make Vanadinite easily identifiable and highly collectible.
Uses
While Vanadinite is primarily a collector’s mineral, it is also an important ore of vanadium, which is used in producing steel alloys and batteries. However, due to its rarity and aesthetic appeal, Vanadinite is mostly valued in mineral collections and displays rather than for industrial purposes.
