Vanadinite is a lead vanadate of the apatite supergroup and the principal ore of vanadium. Bright orange-red hexagonal prisms perched on barite or quartz matrix – usually small but extraordinarily saturated in color – have made it one of the iconic photogenic specimens in collecting. Mibladen and Touissit in Morocco are the world references; Chinese occurrences are minor and sporadic.
Key Facts
- Mohs hardness 3-4 – softer than glass; cleavage absent but crystals are fragile.
- Specific gravity 6.88 – extraordinarily heavy due to lead content.
- Vanadium ore – used in steel hardening; chemistry shared with Carnotite.
- Mibladen district (Morocco) produces the global reference for crystal quality and color.
- Lead content makes specimens toxic – wash hands after handling, do not lick or breathe dust.
Notable Varieties
- Endlichite (As-rich variety; gradational toward Mimetite)
- Cavernous skeletal crystals (Apache Mine, Arizona)
The Chinese Angle
Chinese vanadinite occurrences are minor and not internationally significant. Reports from Qinglong (Guizhou) and small Hunan localities exist but yield is sporadic and generally non-collector grade. Most vanadinite in the international collector market traces to Mibladen, Touissit, or Apache Mine. This species is included in the encyclopedia for completeness rather than for Chinese specimen significance.
Found at these Localities
- Mibladen Mining District (米布拉登铅矿区)
- Dundas Mineral Field (丹达斯矿区)
- Qinglong Sb-Au Mine (晴隆锑矿)
- Guizhou (贵州)
- Hunan (湖南)
- Imiter Mine (伊米泰尔银矿)
