VANADINITE
Vanadinite is an uncommon, but beautiful,
reddish-colored lead chlorovanadate (Pb5(VO4)3Cl).
Vanadinite has hexagonal crystals, a hardness of 3, and a nonmetallic luster
described as adamantine or resinous.
The highest quality vanadinite is from Morocco in
northwestern Africa. The sample shown below is a nice vanadinite cluster
on Lower Jurassic dolostone. It comes from the A'hcif Mine (A'hcif
Shaft), near the old mining village of Mibladen, ~15 km northeast of Midelt,
eastern Khenifra Province, northern Morocco.
Vanadinite on Jurassic dolostone, A'hcif Mine, Mibladen, Morocco.
Vanadinite, A'hcif Mine, Mibladen, Morocco.