Mineral Name Vanadinite
First Discovered 1801
Nickel-Strunz Classification 08.BN.05
Dana Classification 41.08.04.03
ICSD 203074
Mineral Group Phosphates

 

Vanadinite was originally discovered in Mexico by the Spanish mineralogist Andrés Manuel del Río in 1801. He called the mineral "brown lead" and asserted that it contained a new element, which he first named pancromium and later, erythronium. However, he was later led to believe that this was not a new element but merely an impure form of chromium. In 1830, Nils Gabriel Sefström discovered a new element, which he named vanadium. It was later revealed that this was identical to the metal discovered earlier by Andrés Manuel del Río. Del Río's "brown lead" was also rediscovered, in 1838 in Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico, and was named vanadinite because of its high vanadium content. Other names that have since been given to vanadinite are johnstonite and lead vanadate. Although vanadinite was first discovered in Mexico, vanadinite deposits have since been unearthed in South America, Europe, Africa, and in other parts of North America.

Within the metaphysical realm of minerals, Vanadinite allows the believer to attain a deep state of meditation, allowing their mind to be entirely void of course. This can promote order to a believer's life, helping to define their goals, and to pursue these goals in an orderly, organized manner. Vanadinite can assist a believer in circular breathing during meditation as well. Vanadinite is a stone of service; it is very active on the physical plane, inspiring action in relation to a believer's goals. It can promote thrift in spending by conserving your energy or money and is generally a good crystal to use in manifestation or prosperity work.

Please note that MIROFOSS does not suggest in any way that minerals should be used in place of proper medical and psychological care. This information is provided here as a reference only.

Vanadinite is one of the main industrial ores of the element vanadium and a minor source of lead.

Vanadinite is a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of lead bearing deposits.

Vanadinite is a dense, brittle mineral, it is usually found in the form of red hexagonal crystals. It is an uncommon mineral, found in arid climates and formed by the oxidation of lead ore deposits such as galena. Vanadinite is a mineral belonging to the apatite group of phosphates. Crystals of vanadinite conform to a hexagonal system of symmetry. This internal structure is often reflected in the hexagonal external shape of the crystals. The crystals are usually in the form of short hexagonal prisms, but can also be found as hexagonal pyramids, rounded masses or crusts.

Other than in the basic mineral form, vanadinite can be found in two distinct varieties:

Cleavage None
Colour(s) Brown, Brownish yellow, Brownish red, Yellow, Colourless
Specific Gravity 6.94
Diaphaneity Sub transparent to Opaque
Fracture Brittle - Conchoidal - Very brittle fracture producing small, conchoidal fragments
Mohs Hardness 3.5 to 4.0
Luminescence Non-fluorescent
Lustre Adamantine
Streak Brownish yellow
Habit(s) Globular to Nodular to Prismatic
Radioactivity Non-radioactive
Magnetism Non-magnetic

The following health hazards should be noted when handling vanadinite:

BIOHAZARD

Vanadinite contains the element lead which is known to cause long term health effects.


The following image shows the Elemental breakdown of the mineral vanadinite along with the mineral crystal structure.

Crystal System Hexagonal
Class Dipyramidal
Axial Ratios a : c = 1 : 0.711
Morphology Well developed hexagonal prisms with smooth faces and sharp edges
Optical Data Type Uniaxial (-)
Dichroism (e) Light
Dichroism (w) Dark
Pleochroism Weak
RL Values nω = 2.416 nε = 2.350
Max Birefringence δ = 0.066 (See colour chart at right)
Surface Relief Very high
Comments Visible in tinted material in transmitted light
   

Vanadinite can be referenced in certain current and historical texts under the following three names:

 
     

The mineral erythrite can be translated into the following select languages:

Arabic فانادينيت Bulgarian   Chinese (Sim) 钒铅矿
Croatian   Czech   Danish  
Dutch Vanadiniet Esperanto   Estonian  
Finnish Vanadiniitti French Plomb brun German Vanadinit
Greek Βαναδινίτης Hebrew   Hungarian  
Italian Vanadinite Japanese バナヂンナイと Korean 바낟인아이드
Latin   Lithuanian Vanadinitas Norwegian  
Persian   Polish Wanadynit Portuguese Vanadinita
Romanian Vanadinit Russian Ванадинит Slovak  
Spanish Vanadinita Swedish Vanadinit Tagalog  
Turkish   Ukrainian Ванадиніт Vietnamese  

Vanadinite can be found in a few places around the world. The map below shows major documented concentrations of vanadinite:

The MIROFOSS database offers free printable geological identification tags for personal and non-profit use. These tags can be used to properly identify mineral samples in your collection. -Click here- to download a full size jpeg image for a vanadinite identification tag; which can be printed on paper or used with a plastic laser printer.

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Crystallography Laufek, F., Skála, R., Haloda, J., Cisařová, I. (2006): Crystal structure of vanadinite: Refinement of anisotropic displacement parameters. Journal of the Czech Geological Society, 51(3-4), 271-275.
Crystallography Baker, W. E. (1966): An X-ray diffraction study of synthetic members of the pyromorphite series. American Mineralogist 51, 1712-1721.
History Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 616.
History Canadian Mineralogist (1989): 27: 189.
Geograpcial Data Mindat.org. Retrieved on 2012-05-07
Physical Identification Webmineral.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-07
May 07, 2012 The last time this page was updated
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