Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Mibladen, Morocco
SIZE : 6 x 4.5 cm

It shows splendid hexagonal red-orangeish crystals. They have in some spots a gemmeous quality and bright facets. This specimen measures 6 x 4.5 cm.

This beautiful sample of vanadinite comes from Mibladen in Morocco, it was obtained thanks to support from Total. It is kept today 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.
3D view: Alain Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Vanadinite

HISTORY : Name inspired from 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 : Prismatic crystals usually well developped, parallel groups, fibrous
HARDNESS : 3,5-4,0
DENSITY : 6,8-7,1

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

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Vanadinite

Vanadinite

MNHN N°203.238

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