The Mineral VANADINITE

Dims: 2-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 1"

Wt: oz

Bou Azzer, Morocco

The largest crystals (up to 5/15 inch in diameter and 1/16 inch in width) on this Moroccan Vanadinite specimen are concentrated on the edges of one side of a flat tabular piece of host rock. This side of the rock seems to have been dusted with microscopic Vanadinite crystals, covering the larger crystals' popular, adamantine luster on one of each of their two sides, and dulling their characteristic, deep red-orange color. The other side of each crystal, having been sheltered from the onslaught, retain their fiery luster and color. This is a beautiful specimen, with the classic, hexagonal platelets that make Vanadinite so easy to identify.

Dims: 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 7.2 oz

not yet determined

The contrast between the Vanadinite crystals and its Goethite host make this such a pretty piece. The largest crystal measures 1/4 inch in diameter and 1/8 inch thick, and there are several other crystals that are not much smaller than that. The crystals are all colored a bright red-orange, and their faces have a pearly, almost metallic luster. The goethite host rock has both stalactitic and botryoidal formations. I like it!

Dims: 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 1.97 oz

Mibladen, Morocco

Mibladen, Morocco puts out some really beautiful Vanadinite specimens- this thumbnail is no exception. The base is an orange-pink colored stone that resembles shale and has black speckling scattered on it. The crystals that rest on it do not exceed 1/8 inch in diameter, but have near-perfect form and visible translucence. Their color ranges in accordance to their size, with the largest crystals having a deep orange-red color, and the smallest fading to a golden-orange. The crystals' luster is nearly adamantine, and there are scores of them!

Dims: 2-7/8" x 1-3/4" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 3.55 oz

not yet determined

I am not sure exactly where this particular mineral hails from... I was thinking Mexico because the matrix is made up of an iron mineral that is very dense, but it is too dense to be Goethite. I have decided that it probably comes from Arizona, in the U.S.-- I am thinking the Tiger Mine in Yuma County, but I am not sure. Anyway, on top of this dense, submetallic matrix rest dozens of beautiful, well-formed Vanadinite crystals that measure up to 1/4 inch in diameter. They all have a consistent, deep orange-red color and bright, almost adamantine luster. Although there are several that are damaged or broken off, plenty enough are left to make an impressive piece.

Dims: 1.9" x 1.8" x 1.3"(4.8 x 4.6 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 1.34 oz.(38.0 g.)

Mibladen, Morocco

Though this Vanadinite specimen doesn't have the largest crystals that I have ever seen, I do think it is one of the most beautiful ones that I have dealt with. The crystals are a bright orange-red to a deep red in coloration and have a submetallic, almost adamantine luster. They are translucent and in the classic form of hexagonal tabular platelets. Furthermore, they rest on a cluster of barite crystals. The barite is in the form of aggregates of thin blades and are colored a pale orange-pink, almost coral color. They have a dull luster and are very well-defined, with a dusting of tiny Vanadinites scattered over them that gives them a light sparkle. The Vanadinite crystals heavily cover the barite only at the top of the specimen, as if they were dropped onto it from above; the largest crystals are at the very top, and reduce in size and concentration quickly. The opposite side of the specimen is identical, with the exception of being coated rather heavily with a dark, metallic dust that is likely galena. The difference is quite intense! The entire specimen is affixed to a square acrylic base with a removable putty. I have come to the conclusion that this specimen must be some form of a stalagmite or stalactite- the only area that shows breakage is the part of the specimen that is attached to the base. It is a magnificent item!

Dims: 1.3" x 0.9" x 0.7"(3.3 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 7.7 g

Pure Potential Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

Though it is quite small, this Vanadinite thumbnail specimen is quite attractive. It has the hexagonal prismatic-to-tabular crystals with basal faces that are common in this mineral, are translucent, and have an adamantine luster. Their color is one of the deeper reds that I have seen in this mineral and the crystals are well-formed and have very little damage. They rest on a dark red-brown matrix that looks like a shale or a fine-grained sandstone.

Dims: 1.4" x 1.3" x 1.3"(3.6 x 3.3 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 1.12 oz.(32.0 g)

Pure Potential Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

One of the most beautiful specimens of Vanadinite in our stock, this cluster is made up of several dozen deep-red hexagonal tabular-to-prismatic crystals. They are translucent and have an adamantine luster, and their color deepens as their size increases. They range in size from 1-5 mm in diameter, and the largest crystals' edges grew more quickly than their basal faces, creating a hopper effect. Several crystals in the cluster are damaged or broken, but many more are intact. On one side of the specimen, tiny crystals of either calcite or, more likely, selenite grow adjacent to the Vanadinite cluster.

Dims: 1.2" x 0.6" x 0.6"(3.0 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 5.9 g

Pure Potential Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

There are several dozen hexagonal prismatic Vanadinite crystals that make up this thumbnail specimen. They rest on a small piece of host rock and range in size from 1 mm or less up to 3 or 4 mm in length and diameter. The smallest crystals have a golden color, which fades to a deep orange-red in the largest crystals. They are translucent and have an adamantine luster. Very few are damaged, and there are a few tiny selenite crystals on the specimen that are obscured by the adhesive putty that affixes it to the plastic thimble box that it is in for display.

Dims: 2.4" x 1.6" x 1.5"(6.1 x 4.1 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 1.96 oz.(55.7 g)

Pure Potential Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

I like this specimen especially well because most of the Vanadinite crystals line a deep cavity in the host rock. They all occur in the standard hexagonal prismatic form and have flat basal terminations and an adamantine luster that makes them sparkle. Their size ranges from less than 1 mm to 3 or 4 mm in diameter, and their color ranges from a moderate gold to a deep red-orange, respective to the change in size. The crystals are translucent, and though the largest crystals are concentrated in the hollow, there are many, many small crystals thinly coating other parts of the host rock, making the entire specimen sparkle. I cannot identify the host rock, but it has a purple-gray color and is soft and chalky in consistency. There are also a few clusters of tiny selenite crystals scattered on the specimen.

Dims: 3.4" x 2.3" x 1.5"(8.6 x 5.8 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 5.73 oz.(162.4 g)

Pure Potential Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

A single face of the host rock of this specimen is covered by a cluster of beautiful Vanadinite crystals. They occur in a hexagonal prismatic form and have flat basal terminations; several of the larger crystals are intergrown. The crystals range in size from less than 1 mm to 4 mm or more in length and diameter, and range in color from a moderate gold to deep orange-red, respective to size. They are translucent and have an adamantine luster that makes them sparkle. The host rock seems to be composed almost entirely of selenite that ranges from massive to crystalline in habit, and is colored gray and violet-brown due to the inclusion of a soft, chalky material. The colors are splendid on this specimen!

Dims: 3.0" x 1.5" x 1.3"(7.6 x 3.8 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 2.31 oz.(65.5 g)

Grey Horse Mine, Pinal County, Arizona, U.S.A.

The Vanadinite crystals on this specimen have very intruguing, warped crystal forms. They occur in the hexagonal prismatic crystals that are common for this mineral, but the edges of the larger crystals grew much more quickly than the center, so there are stepped depressions in the middle of each crystal's basal face, producing a hopper crystal effect. This effect is so intense, however, that it looks more as if the crystals are hollow! They range in size from less than 1 mm to more than 1 cm in length, and all have a uniform golden-orange color and pearly luster, and are translucent. They rest on a crust of white quartz that coats the host rock.

Dims: 3.1" x 1.6" x 1.4"(7.9 x 4.1 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 2.86 oz.(81.2 g)

Grey Horse Mine, Pinal County, Arizona, U.S.A.

Though it seems to show some heavy damage, this Vanadinite specimen has some very unusual traits that make it worth a look. The crystals are a moderate golden-orange color and translucent. Their luster decreases as the crystals gain size, so that the smallest crystals(less than 2 mm in length) have an adamantine luster, and the largest crystals(3-5 mm in length) have a pearly luster. They occur in a hexagonal prismatic form, but the larger crystals are odd in that they often are hollow, due to their edges and prism faces growing much more quickly than their cores, so that a hopper crystal effect is evident. Many of these hopper crystals are so warped as to be incomplete, but there are several complete ones wherein the effect can be easily seen. Most of the Vanadinite crystals rest on a bed of massive quartz that coats the host rock, which appears to be made of shale. Crevices in the underside of the host rock are filled with loose, individual parallel fibers that run perpendicular to the crevices' lengths. I have no idea what they are composed of, and I have never before seen anything like them in a specimen from this locality.

Dims: 2.3" x 1.4" x 1.0"(5.8 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 25.3 g)

Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

This specimen is not what comes to mind when I think about Vanadinite, but that is what it is. The crystals on this host rock are actually a variety of Vanadinite called Endlichite that contains a high concentration of arsenic. They have a brown color, vitreous luster, and are translucent. Their form is quite different from that of regular Vanadinite in that these crystals are in the form of very thin, sharp needles. With a loupe, one can determine their triangular cross-section, and magnification is not needed to see their radiating habit. Close examination reveals that the crystals are completely coating flat, bladed formations that may well be wulfenite crystals. The Endlichite needles range in size from less than 1 mm to 7 or 8 mm in length. They are certainly interesting to examine, especially under magnification.

Dims: 1.1" x 0.9" x 0.5"(2.8 x 2.3 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 16.4 g w/base

Taouz, Morocco

One of the simplest Vanadinite specimens that I have seen, this piece is also one of the most attractive. There are about 20 discernable crystals on this specimen. They occur in the classic hexagonal tabular form of Vanadinite, have a deep orange color and adamantine luster, and are translucent. There is very little damage and it is limited to 3 of the crystals; all have exceptional form and clean faces and edges. They rest on a botryoidal formation of goethite that also exhibits exceptional form. Its color is completely black and it has a dull, silky luster. The piece is hot-glued onto an acrylic base. I don't know if I like the Vanadinite or the goethite better- together, though, they create a magnificent thumbanail specimen.

Dims: 1.6" x 1.3" x 1.2"(4.1 x 3.1 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 1.14 oz.(32.4 g)

La Aurora Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

There are several dozen Vanadinite crystals on this specimen. They are members of the arsenous variety called Endlichite. They occur as hexagonal crystals like regular vanadinite, but tend to form prisms, rather than occur in a tabular form. They have a dull, brownish-yellow color, a bright sub-metallic luster, and are dimly translucent. They are small, not exceeding 0.3"(8 mm) in length, and their form is rather poor, as none of the larger crystals seem to be complete; this is due to natural causes, though, because there is little damage. These crystals rest on a dark goethite/limonite host rock.

Dims: 1.8" x 1.7" x 1.1"(4.6 x 4.3 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 24.9 g

La Aurora Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

This specimen is another example of the arsenous variety of Vanadinite that is called Endlichite. It occurs as malformed and often incomplete hexagonal prisms with basal terminations. They tend to reach a maximum length of about 3 mm and have diameters of about 1 mm. Their color is a dark brown, and they are opaque and have an adamantine, almost submetallic luster. They rest on what appears to be a calcite base, but this base is covered with these crystals. Though not the most colorful of specimens, it is certainly interesting, and has a lot for a collector to examine.

Dims: 1.3" x 1.1" x 0.9"(3.3 x 2.8 x 2.1 cm)

Wt: 20.3 g

Mibladen, Morocco

This excellent thumbnail specimen shows close to 50 hexagonal tabular Vanadinite crystals that range in size from less than 1mm to about 0.2"(5 mm) in diameter. These largest crystals have a deep orange color that fades as their size decreases to a pale golden-orange in the tiniest ones. All have an adamantine luster and are translucent, and have excellent form and no damage that I can see. They rest on a crystalline barite base that has a pink-to-dark-gray color and occurs as intergrown, curved blades that the Vanadinite crystals grow off of. I affixed it inside a domed plastic thimble box for display.

Dims: 2.1" x 2.0" x 0.5"(5.3 x 5.1 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 2.91 oz. (82.6 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

A base rock made up of both Goethite and Limonite hold a few dozen small hexagonal tabular Vanadinite crystals. These crystals do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in diameter or 2 mm in thickness. All have the standard red-orange color of Vanadinite from this locality and a bright vitreous, almost adamantine luster. They are moderately translucent and have excellent form, though many are intergrown. They stand out well against the dull black goethite base. The goethite itself is rather interesting, with a form that ranges from botryoidal to an almost "papery" look.

Dims: 1.5" x 1.2" x 0.8" (3.8 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 19.0 g

Mibladen, Morocco

On what appears to be a pale orange base rock rest scores of small Vanadinite crystals. These crystals have excellent hexagonal tabular form with clean faces and well-defined edges, and appear to be completely free of damage. They range in size from less than 1 mm to nearly 0.3" (7- 8 mm) in diameter and their color is generally a deep red-orange, though it fades slightly as size decreases. They also have a bright, adamantine luster. It is an excellent little thumbnail!

Dims: 1.5" x 1.5" x 0.6" (3.8 x 3.8 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 19.6 g

Mibladen, Morocco

A cluster of at least 20 hexagonal tabular Vanadinite crystals rests on one edge of the thin crust of dull red-brown host rock of this specimen. The crystals are in excellent condition, showing almost no visible human-induced damage, and are extremely large, having diameters of up to 0.5" (1.3 cm) and thicknesses up to 0.1" (3 mm). The crystals all have a deep red-orange coloration on all visible surfaces on one side of the crust. On the other side, all of their visible surfaces show a paler, cloudier coloration that represents some type of included impurity. This impurity seems to interfere with the crystals' translucence, as some are more dimly translucent than others. None have a very high translucence, anyway. This impurity also affects their lusters- on the clearer side, the crystals have a bright, subadamantine luster, whereas their luster is only pearly on the cloudier side. They are some of the finest crystals that we have in stock.

Dims: 1.5" x 1.2" x 0.8" (3.8 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 1.23 oz (34.9 g)

J.C. Holmes Claim, Patagonia, Arizona, U.S.A.

This thumbnail specimen consists of well over 100 tightly packed, intergrown hexagonal prismatic Vanadinite crystals resting on an indiscriminate base. These crystals range in size from nearly microscopic (less than 1 mm in any dimension) to 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.2" (8 x 8 x 5 mm). All are incomplete and have somewhat warped form, but their hexagonal outlines are often visible (see the close-up image) and they have rather unusual, rounded hexagonal pyramidal terminations; several even show evidence of being double-terminated. Their color is a moderate reddish-orange (though it seems to vary a bit according to their size), and they are all dimly to moderately translucent and have a vitreous luster. The host rock's makeup is hard to determine, as it is almost completely covered with either the Vanadinite crystals or a thin, black coating on top of which the Vanadinites rest.

Dims: 2.2" x 1.7" x 1.4" (5.6 x 4.3 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 4.49 oz (127.3 g)

J.C. Holmes Claim, Patagonia, Arizona, U.S.A.

Hundereds of small, prismatic Vanadinite crystals cover the host rock of this hand specimen. Though there is some visible damage to a small portion of the crystals, the specimen is generally in excellent condition. The crystals range in size from less than 1 mm in all dimensions to 0.3 x 0.2 x 0.2" (8 x 5 x 5 mm). Their hexagonal prismatic form is slightly rounded but definite, and many of the crystals have double hexagonal pyramidal terminations. Their faces are striated but relatively clean and show a moderate adamantine luster. They have a red-orange color that is rather pale for Vanadinite, though some of the smaller crystals tend to have a bit more of a yellowish tinge. The host rock on which they rest is formless and difficult to define due to the fact that it is mostly covered with the Vanadinites and what they do not cover is coated with a thin layer of a dull black material. I would hazard a guess that it is composed of massive quartz or quartzite. It is hot-glued onto a small acrylic base.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.6 x 1.2" (4.8 x 4.1 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 3.5 oz. (98.7 g)

Mibladen Mine, Morocco

Many hexagonal prismatic Endlichite (an arsenic-rich variety of Vanadinite) cryastals are intergrown to make up the bulk of this large thumbnail specimen. These crystals are in moderately good condition, as many of them are broken or incomplete, and the largest of these has visible dimensions of 1.0 x 0.6 x 0.5" (2.5 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm) and shows good form, though it is heavily intergrown and a bit disseminated. Its edges are fairly well-defined and its faces are marked with heavy growth patterns, but are clean and possess a bright, subadamantine luster. All have the moderately pale brown coloration that is common for this variety, and are thoroughly opaque. There is a small amount of a weathered, cream-colored host rock on the underside of the specimen.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.3 x 0.9" (4.3 x 3.3 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 2.4 oz. (68.0 g)

Mibladen Mine, Morocco

Another small Endlichite specimen, this piece consists of at least 10 intergrown crystals of the arsenic-rich variety of Vanadinite. Though there is some visible damage, the crystals are generally in good condition. They do not exceed 1" (2.5 cm) in length or 0.5" (1.3 cm) in diameter and have good though generally incomplete hexagonal prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean prism and basal termination faces that possess a bright metallic-adamantine luster. All have the standard pale gray-brown coloration of this mineral. There is a thin crust of white calcite that extends along one edge of the specimen- it has an almost reniform habit.

Dims: 1.5 x 1.2 x 1.1" (3.8 x 3.0 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 8.2 g

Taouz, Morocco

This unusual thumbnail specimen consists of at least 15 distinct Vanadinite crystals that rest on a black base material. These crystals are generally very small, as they do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) along any of their axes, and most are much smaller than that. All but the largest crystal have good hexagonal tabular form, with well-defined edges and clean faces; the largest crystal is quite warped, though it does have an indistinct crystal shape. They possess the deep red-orange coloration that is standard for material from this locality, and their luster is bright and nearly adamantine. All are at least dimly translucent, but a few are rather heavily embedded in the black base material. This base material is very odd- I think that it is made of goethite, but it appears to have both finely fibrous and botryoidal tendencies. Its mass is extremely low, and it is incredibly soft, so much so that care is needed in handling. It rubs off easily onto skin and other surfaces.

Dims: 2.7 x 1.9 x 1.7" (6.9 x 4.8 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 4.34 oz. (123.1 g)

Puzzler Mine, Castle Dome, Yuma County, Arizona, U.S.A.

The mottled brown host rock of this specimen is partly covered with a crust made up of hundreds of tiny Vanadinite crystals. These crystals do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) along any dimension, but are generally in excellent condition. Their hexagonal prismatic form is extremely odd- all have the standard hexagonal cross-section, but most of the crystals are somewhat curved, so that their prism lengths bend. The longest crystal curve the most, arcing over 90 degrees! All have a pale gray-brown color and the bright, nearly adamantine luster that Vanadinite often possesses. The host rock looks like a hard shale and is partly covered with dark brown dendrites of what is probably an iron oxide.

Dims: 4.0 x 3.2 x 1.9" (10.2 x 7.6 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 13.7 oz. (388.0 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

The pale brown host rock of this specimen is partly covered with a crust of hundreds of partly intergrown Vanadinite crystals. These crystals are in excellent condition, as only a few are visibly damaged. They range in diameter from 1 mm or less up to 0.4" (1.0 cm) and have excellent hexagonal tabular form, with well-defined edges and very clean faces. They have the standard deep orange-red coloration of Vanadinite from this locality; their edgeward faces possess an adamantine luster, but their larger, basal faces are much duller, being pearly-to-waxy in luster. They rest on a large chunk of what appears to be brown shale that is dappled with many black spots. These spots are round or dentdritic in shape, and show a metallic luster in some places.

Dims: 2.6 x 1.9 x 1.2" (6.6 x 4.8 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 3.61 oz. (102.4 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

The rusty, pale brown host rock of this small hand specimen is partly coated with hundreds of intergrown Vanadinite crystals. Though a few spots of visible damage are present, at least 90% of the crystals are intact and in excellent condition. They reach diameters of 0.3" (8 mm) and have excellent hexagonal tabular form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess an adamantine luster. All have the deep, nearly brownish-orange color that is common for Vanadinite, and most of the crystals show a dim translucence.

Dims: 2.6 x 2.2 x 0.5" (6.6 x 5.6 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 1.62 oz. (45.9 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

This thumbnail specimen consists of a thin slab of crumbly host rock that is partly covered by a thick druse of Vanadinite crystals. These crystals are quite small, not exceeding 0.1" (3 mm) in diameter, but are in very good condition- only a few spots of minor damage are visible. All have a hexagonal tabular form that is impressively well-defined for their intergrowth, and possess the classic deep red-orange color and bright, adamantine luster of Vanadinite. Even the smallest individual crystals are only dimly translucent. The base, though shapeless, is crystalline in nature, and appears to be made of heavily decayed barite or dolomite (most likely the former).

Dims: 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.7" (8.9 x 6.4 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 4.97 oz. (140.9 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

This hand specimen consists of a crumbly, brown goethite base rock on which rest hundreds of tinyy Vanadinite needles. These needles appear to be in generally good condition and do not exceed0.1" (3 mm) in length or 1 mm in diameter. Though their size makes them difficult to study, all appear to have excellent hexagonal needle-like form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess at least a bright pearly luster. All have a deep yellow color with a faint hint of orange, and are transparent and clear, though one can only see this under magnification. A few botryoidal goethite formations rest nearby on the dull brown host rock.

Dims: 2.3 x 1.4 x 1.0" (5.8 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 25.3 g

Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

This thumbnail specimen consists of a small crust off of which extend formations which are made out of scores of tiny, spiky Vanadinite crystals. These crystals are generally in good condition, though many appear to be broken, and do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in length or 1 mm in diameter. Though their small size and intergrowth make it difficult to effectively study them, they appear to have reasonably good hexagonal form. All have an odd, dull brown coloration and a bright pearly luster, and are translucent to transparent. I believe that their brown color is caused by the presence of limonite, which is a common host rock at this locality.

Dims: 1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6" (2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 13.3. g w/ base

Taouz, Morocco

Several Vanadinite crystals rest on the sparse black base of this thumbnail specimen. These crystals are in excellent condition- there is very little damage- and reach maximum dimensions of 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.2 (1.2 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm). Their hexagonal tabular form is exceptional- all edges are very well-defined, and all faces are clean and smooth. Their color is a deep orange with strong golden highlights, and all are translucent and contain patches of dim transparence that extend a short distance into each crystal. The base on which they rest is mostly obscured by the Vanadinite, but consists of a botryoidal goethite formation. The piece is hot-glued onto a flat, square acrylic base.

Dims: 3.5 x 2.0 x 1.5" (8.9 x 5.1 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.8 oz. (79 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

Scores of very small Vanadinite crystals rest on the iron-bearing base rock of this specimen. These crystals are generally in very good condition, though a few are broken, and do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in either length or diameter. All have the classic hexagonal prismatic form with double basal terminations and show a deep red-orange color and bright, adamantine luster. They are translucent and show tiny patches of dim transparence.

Dims: 1.1 x 0.6 x 0.6" (2.8 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 14.2 g w/ base

Taouz, Morocco

Several Vanadinite crystals rest on the botryoidal goethite base of this thumbnail specimen. Several have broken off at the goethite base and a few are lightly damaged, but they are generally in very good condition. The largest reach nearly 0.4" (9 mm) in diameter, and all have excellent hexagonal tabular form. They show a deep orange coloration and an adamantine luster on their prism faces, whereas their basal faces are generally rather dull. They are essentially translucent, though some transparent spots are visible. The goethite base has excellent botryoidal form and is black in color and generally dull in luster. The piece is hot-glued to a flat acrylic base.

Dims: 2.6 x 2.1 x 1.9" (6.6 x 5.3 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 11.8 oz. (335 g)

Bou Azzer, Morocco

This very dense hand specimen is made up almost entirely of Endlichite an arsenic-rich variety of Vanadinite. The Endlichite occurs as a cluster of heavily-intergrown hexagonal prisms that are in good condition and have very good form. All have a brown color and a bright, submetallic, subadamantine luster. All are completely opaque. They are accompanied by several small crusts of what appears to be rust-stained shale or mudstone.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.6" (2.3 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 19.3 g

Toussit Mine, near Oudja, Morocco

This excellent little thumbnail specimen consists of a cluster of hexagonal tabular Endlichite crystals, an arsenic-rich variety of Vanadinite. These crystals reach maximum dimensions of 0.5 x 0.3 x 0.2" (1.3 x 0.8 x 0.6 cm) and are in excellent condition- only one or two of the smaller crystals show any damage. All have excellent form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a bright, nearly adamantine luster. Their color is a pale yellow-brown and all are translucent under bright light. A small amount of what appears to be a barite host rock is present, and the cluster is hot-glued inside an acrylic base.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.1 x 0.8" (5.3 x 2.7 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 1.30 oz. (38.9 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

A crust of loosely-intergrown Vanadinites covers most of the barite base of this hand specimen. These Vanadinites do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in diameter but are in excellent condition and have excellent hexagonal tabular form. Their color ranges according to their size- the larger crystals having a deeper orange-red color- and their luster is adamantine where they are not covered with a thin, dull coating that I cannot identify. The barite base is made up of intergrown clusters of thin blades that are also in excellent condition.

Dims: 2.6 x 1.1 x 0.9" (6.6 x 2.8 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 24.6 g

La Aurora Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

The thin quartz base of this specimen holds hundreds of small Endlichite (an arsenic-rich variety of Vanadinite) prisms that are nearly needle-like in habit. These prisms range from less than 1 mm to nearly 0.2" (4 mm) in length and are generally in excellent condition. Their hexagonal form is very good, though their terminations are rather warped and often not quite complete. All have a rather deep brown color and an adamantine luster that is nearly submetallic, and are translucent.

Dims: 4.0 x 3.0 x 1.3" (10.1 x 7.6 x 3.2 cm)

Wt: 6.0 oz. (169 g)

Pure Potential Claim, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

The calcite/goethite base of this cabinet specimen is partly coated with hundreds of small Vanadinite prisms. These crystals do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in either length or diameter and are generally in very good condition- some of the more exposed surfaces show damage. All have excellent hexagonal prismatic or tabular form and the classic deep, orange-red color and adamantine luster. Much of the Vanadinite bed is covered with a very thin, milky-white calcite crust.

Dims: 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.8 x 1.2 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 4 g w/ post

San Carlos, Chihuahua, Mexico

This odd little thumbnail piece consists of a parallel association of several intergrown Vanadinite crystals- it likely started out as a single crystal. It is in good condition, showing minor damage in one or two spots, and the crystals within reach 0.4" (1.0 cm) in length. All have a long, thin hexagonal prismatic form that is somewhat to extremely warped due to their intergrowth- as a single unit, it has nearly skeletal characteristics. Its brown-orange color and subadamantine/submetallic luster is standard for the specie. The piece is affixed to a post inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.5 x 1.2 x 0.9 cm)

Wt: 2 g

San Carlos, Chihuahua, Mexico

This small thumbnail piece consists of a cluster of parallel-growth Vanadinite prisms. These thin crystals are in excellent condition and reach lengths of about 6 or 7 mm. All have excellent hexagonal form and a brown color and adamantine luster. A small amount of colorless calcite or quartz is present, I can't tell which. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 1.1 x 0.9 x 0.5" (2.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 cm)

Wt: 0.6 oz. (18 g)

Mibladen, Morocco

A cluster of small Vanadinite crystals makes up this thumbnail piece. These Vanadinites are of the variety known as Endlichite, which has a high arsenic concentration. The cluster is in very good condition (a few crystals are only slightly damaged) and show very good hexagonal prismatic form. All have the standard pale to deep golden-brown color and the bright, adamantine/submetallic luster, and are completely opaque. There is no host rock present, and the piece is affixed loosely inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.6" (9.1 x 6.0 x 4.1 cm)

Wt: 5.7 oz. (162 g)

Toussit, Morocco

This rather odd cabinet specimen consists of scores of stubby, barrel-shaped Vanadinites that rest on a weathered barite base. These Vanadinites are of the arsenic-rich variety sometimes known as Endlichite and are generally in excellent condition. Their trigonal form is very good, and all have the habit of short, stubby prismatic crystals with basal terminations on each end. Their color is interesting; all have a pale gray "skin" surrounding a darker gray "core". Their luster is adamantine, and with their gray color, appears nearly metallic at times. All are completely opaque and rest on the barite base, which is partly covered with a thin, black crust of what is likely an oxide mineral.

Dims:5.6x5.0x2.7" (14.2x12.7x6.9 cm)

Wt: 35.3oz. (1002g)

Mibladen, Morocco

The matrix rock of this specimen is covered with hundreds of crystals of vanadinite, ranging in size from the tiny to nearly 0.2" (0.5cm). These crystals show excellent form. There is no damage to this specimen.

Dims: 4.06x3.15x1.69" (10.3x8.0x4.3cm)

Wt: 10.87oz. (307.5g)

Pure Potential Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, USA

The vanadinite on this host rock covers about 75% of its surface. The crystals are generally distinct, but are small, with the largest only measuring 1mm by 2mm. They are well formed, hexagonal prismatic crystals with basal terminations. While some have a dull luster, many are vitrious, and the overall effect is to give this hand specimen a decent sparkle. The color of the vanadinite ranges from orange to orange-red, and it appears white in some areas due to a coating of calcite.

Dims: 2.55x1.03x0.95" (6.47x2.62x2.41cm)

Wt: 2.19oz (62.1g)

Ahcif Mine, Mibladen, Midelt, Morocco

This is an excellent and nearly damage-free vanadinite specimen. Its color is a characteristic orange-brown, shading to a lovelyh orange in the smaller crystals. The vanadinite is transparent, although a myriad of internal fractures ruins any clarity. The luster is generally vitreous, but has a metallic look on the sides of the largest crystals which have a darker, nearly gray surface. At least 80% of the surface of the host rock is covered with these vanadinite crystals. Judging by the heft and orange color, the host rock itself may be more (granular) vanadinite. This is a very nice specimen.

Dims: 1.97x1.51x0.70" (5.01x3.84x1.77cm)

Wt: 1.36oz (38.5g)

Acif Mine, Milbaden, Morocco

On a base of white barite crystals rest dozens of deep orange-red crystals of vanadinite. They are well formed flat (tabular) hexagons with varying shapes, and their color varies from orange on the smallest crystals to a very deep red-orange (with a black look to the surface) on the largest crystals. They are translucent with a vitreous luster. THere is a patch whee the smaller crystals do appear black, and in general this is a very nice example of vanadinite.

Dims: 3.50x1.22x1.02in (8.89x3.09x2.59cm)

Wt: 0.71oz (20.1g)

Mibladen, Morocco

This specimen has an excellent display of highly lustrous brown translucent crystals of vanadinite. The color is variable, Some sides of the crystals are definately brown, others have more of a pinkish cast, and a few tiny crystals are nearly orange. The luster varies from dull on a few brown faces to adamantine over most of the crystals. There is a lot of vanadinite here, and it displays well.

dims mm=26.10x14.47x11.68

wt g=5.0

North Geronimo Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, USA

As is often the case with thumbnail specimens, the crystals here are essentially perfect, at least for typical vanadinite specimens. They are hexagonal with basal terminations, and are a translucent orange-red with a vitreous luster.

dims mm=29.78x14.32x12.97

wt g=6.7

Acif Mine, Mibladen, Morocco

This is a small but very nice specimen of vanadinite. It consists of a small plate of brown rock and dozens of translucent orange (distorted hexagonal) tabular crystals of vanadinite, the largest of which have enough internal fractures to lend them an almost pearly glow from orange flashes.