Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Mibladen, Morocco
SIZE : 15 x 15 cm

This beautiful sample of vanadinite shows splendid hexagonal red-orangeish crystals. They have in some spots a gemmeous quality and bright facets. It measures 15 cm.

This specimen, obtained thanks to support from Total, comes from Mibladen in Morocco. It is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Vanadinite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the element vanadium it contains

Species first described in 1838 by le baron Franz Von Kobell (1803-1882), German mineralogist and writer

Type-locality: Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Pb5 (VO4)3 Cl
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Hexagonal
COLOR : Red - orangeish, dark red, brown
DIAPHANIETY : Semi-transparent to opaque
LUSTER : Resineous to adamantine
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Name inspired from the element vanadium it contains
HARDNESS : 3,5-4,0
DENSITY : 6,8-7,1

CHEMICAL CLASS : VII - Phosphates, arsenat
GROUP : Chlorapatite - pyromorphite series
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 7/B.39-170
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 8.BN.10

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Vanadinite

Vanadinite

MNHN N°203.237

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