Vanadinite

Lead Chlorovanadate
Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl

Vanadinite is a lead mineral colored by vanadium, typically red like crocoite. It has the same structure and crystal shape (sometimes) as Apatite. It is a part of a series with two other minerals, they are pyromorphite (Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl) and mimetite (Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl). The hexagonal crystals of the Vanadinite are usually prismatic but often the crystals are skeletal or cavernous, which may be found in crusts. It has uneven fracture and is brittle.

The mineral was earlier described as a chromate by Andres Manuel del Rio, who discovered it in Mexico in 1801. In 1830, metal vanadium was discovered and vanadinite got its identity. Vanadinite's high luster and deep red color is a nice appeal to mineral collectors.

Physical Properties of Vanadinite

Color	Bright red to orange, less commonly gray or brown.
Luster	Vitreous to adamantine.
Transparency	Crystals are tarnsparent to translucent.
Crystal system	Hexagonal; 6/m
Cleavage	None
Fracture	Conchoidal
Hardness	3
Specific gravitey	Approximately 6.6+. It is very heavy for translucent minerals.
Streak	Yellowish white.

Associated Minerals of Vanadinite

• Wulfenite
• Limonite
• Barite
• Galena
• Secondary lead deposit minerals

Uses of Vanadinite

• Steel alloys
• Auto and railway equipment
• As mineral specimens
• As an ore of vanadium

Occurrences of Vanadinite

• Arizona, New Mexico, and South Dakota in the USA
• Tsumeb, Nambia
• Zambia
• South Africa
• Austria
• Spain
• Morocco
• Argentina
• Mexico