Summary

Vanadinite is a striking red-orange or brown mineral. It is a secondary mineral which forms from chemical alteration of lead minerals containing traces of vanadium. Despite being a rare mineral it is known from many locations around the world. This specimen was collected in Morocco.

Vanadinite was first discovered in Mexico in 1801 by Professor A. M. del Rio (1764-1849) of the School of Mines of Mexico. It was originally called simply "brown lead". It was later renamed after the element vanadium, discovered in 1830, because of its high vanadium content. Vanadium is an important component of strengthened steel and vanadinite is today one of the main sources of vanadium.

Vanadinite belongs to the apatite group of minerals.

Specimen Details

Geospatial Information