Vanadinite

Vanadinite is a mineral in the vanadate family, composed of lead, vanadium, oxygen, and chlorine. Its hardness is about 3 and its crystal system is Hexagonal - Dipyramidal. Vanadinite forms prismatic crystals that are red, orange-red, brownish red, brown or yellow and are sometimes hollow. It is a relatively rare mineral and is sometimes found in the upper oxidized parts of lead deposits. Vanadinite is found in Morocco, as well as New Mexico and Arizona in the USA.

NOTE: This item is sold by the GRAM! Minimum quantity is 25 Grams

Item Size: Various Sizes


GENERAL INFORMATION

Mineral Class: Phosphates

Mineral Species: Phosphates

Mineral Group: Apatite

Chemical Formula: Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl

Composition:
10.79% - Vanadium V
73.15% - Lead Pb
02.50% - Chlorine Cl
13.56% - Oxygen O

Environment: Oxidized lead ores.

IMA Status: Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1839

Locality: Zimapan, Hildalgo, Mexico

Name Origin: Named for its vanadium content.

Vanadinite sources: Arizona, New Mexico, USA; Mexico; Morocco; Tsumeb, Nambia; Zambia; and South Africa.


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Cleavage: None

Color: Brown, Brownish yellow, Brown red, Colorless, Yellow.

Crystal System: Hexagonal - Dipyramidal

Density: 6.8 - 7.1, Average = 6.94

Diaphaniety: Subtranslucent to opaque

Fracture: Brittle - Conchoidal - Very brittle fracture producing small, conchoidal fragments.

Habit: Globular - Spherical, or nearly so, rounded forms (e.g. wavellite).

Habit: Nodular - Tuberose forms having irregular protuberances over the surface.

Habit: Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline)

Hardness: 3.5-4 - Copper Penny-Fluorite

Luminescence: None

Luster: Adamantine

Magnetism: Nonmagnetic

Specific Gravity: ~6.6

Streak: brownish yellow

Vanadinite shares the same structure with Apatite and the two share similar crystal shapes at times. Vanadinite is part of a chemical series with two other minerals; Pyromorphite (Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl) and Mimetite (Pb5(AsO4)3Cl). This series is a little different than most chemical series which involve substitution of cations such as calcium for magnesium. Instead, this series substitutes its basic chemical units the anion groups; phosphate (PO₄), arsenate (AsO₄) and vanadate (VO₄).

Vanadinite is usually red which the other members of this series and apatite group usually are not. Vanadinite's classic crystal habit is short hexagonal prisms terminated by a pinacoid, or flat basal face. These crystals are wider than they are long and are more blade-like than the barrel shaped crystals so common to the Apatite Group minerals. The high luster and deep red color give vanadinite a nice appeal to mineral collectors.


METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Chakras: Earth, sacral, base

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Element: Fire

Beneficial for: Circular breathing, chronic exhaustion, bladder problems, endometriosis, fibroids, intrauterine growths, balancing female hormones, menopause, PMS, stabilizing menstrual cycle, asthma, congested lungs

Excellent for people who have problems accepting their physicality, Vanadinite has a strong connection with the earth chakra that grounds the soul into the physical body, assisting in being comfortable in the earth environment. Teaching how to conserve energy, it opens an internal channel within the body to receive an inflooding of universal energy, aligning the chakras. Shutting off mind chatter, Vanadinite facilitates a state of "no mind" or can be used consciously to direct awareness for metaphysical vision and journeying. This stone fills the gap between thought and intellect. Defining goals, it combines rational thought with inner guidance.

Note: Vanadinite contains Lead; use with care.